A son living in another city hears the same response during their regular calls: “Tired today. In many Indian households, caregiving begins long before anyone calls it that. A daughter notices that her father no longer walks to buy milk. A spouse sees him stop midway up the stairs. Individually, these moments may seem insignificant. Over time, however, they can point to a gradual change in everyday life.
Tavishi Dogra is a Deputy Chief Content Producer, Health & Wellness, at Hindustan Times. She joined Hindustan Times to simplify wellness subjects by cutting through jargon. She has over 9 years of experience writing about fitness, nutrition, and mental well-being, translating medical research and expert insights into practical advice readers can trust. Career journey and experience Tavishi began her health journalism journey in 2017, and has since reported for RSTV, Financial Express, Jagran, HT Media Labs and Zee.
Education and professional background Tavishi holds a Master’s degree in Journalism and Mass Communication and began her career reporting on public affairs for broadcast. Editorial Philosophy I write with one single goal: To simplify health in a world full of noise by finding what’s actually doable, safe, and evidence-based for my readers. I test claims against research and user experiences. The heart has four valves that regulate blood flow. When a valve narrows or does not close properly, the heart has to work harder. Aortic stenosis, which becomes more common with age, occurs when the valve through which blood leaves the heart narrows. Instead of describing a loved one as simply becoming slower, families can focus on specific changes. When did the symptoms begin? Which activities trigger them? Has the distance they can walk comfortably decreased? Have they experienced swollen ankles, dizziness, fainting, or a racing heartbeat? Keeping a record of these changes can make a medical consultation more productive. Family members can also help organize prescriptions, previous reports, and questions for the doctor. Having someone accompany the patient can help when there are several medicines or instructions to understand, while ensuring the patient’s concerns and preferences remain central to the conversation. “Depending on the symptoms and the doctor’sclinical assessment, the doctor may recommend a 2D echocardiogram. This non-invasive ultrasound test produces moving images of the heart and helps assess how its valves function. The US National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute identifies echocardiography as a commonly used test for diagnosing heart valve disease,” Cardiologist Dr Shafiq Mattummal, Meitra Hospital, Calicut, tells Health Shots . Awareness of this need is growing in India. As more families navigate the needs of older relatives, care may involve several people: a family member living nearby, a child checking in over video calls, and a trusted neighbor who can help in an emergency. Sharing observations and responsibilities can make it easier to recognize changes and seek timely care. In some patients, severe aortic stenosis may require valve replacement. Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR), also known as TAVI, may suit certain patients. The procedure involves guiding a replacement valve to the heart through a catheter, usually inserted through a groin blood vessel. Whether TAVR is appropriate depends on a specialist heart team. Factors such as heart anatomy, overall health, life expectancy, and the patient’s preferences help inform the decision. Families can support this process by connecting medical decisions to what matters most in the patient’s daily life. For one person, independence may mean preparing a cup of tea without assistance. For another, it could mean returning to a weekly card game or moving safely around the house. These priorities deserve consideration alongside clinical findings. Before proceeding, patients and their families should discuss recovery expectations, medication requirements, rehabilitation, valve durability, and the possibility of future procedures with the treating team. Understanding the options can help families support an informed decision without taking away the patient’s autonomy. Returning home after a procedure can bring relief, but it also introduces new responsibilities. A clear discharge plan should outline medicines, wound care, appropriate activity levels, follow-up appointments, warning signs and emergency contacts. Dividing responsibilities among family members can help ensure that appointments are attended and instructions are followed. With guidance from the medical team, patients should gradually resume appropriate activities, rebuilding confidence while preserving as much independence as possible. Follow-up remains important after TAVR. Families can help patients keep appointments, follow medication schedules, and promptly report any return of symptoms. Patients should tell their doctors and dentists about the implanted valve and follow their treating team’s advice on preventive measures, including whether they need antibiotics before certain dental procedures. Caregivers also need time to rest and share responsibilities. Sustainable caregiving isn’t simply about completing tasks; it is about supporting a loved one’s health without losing sight of their dignity, independence, and quality of life. Families cannot diagnose heart valve disease, but they often know a person’s everyday routines better than anyone else. A shorter walk, increasing breathlessness, or gradually giving up familiar activities may be easy to dismiss as part of growing older. When these changes persist, however, they deserve attention and a conversation with a healthcare professional. Sometimes, the first step towards better care is simply noticing that a loved one’s ordinary day no longer looks quite the same. That awareness can encourage timely evaluation, help families navigate informed treatment decisions such as TAVR, and support a better quality of life in the years ahead. (Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your doctor with any questions about a medical condition.)
When all else fails, I speak to the expert who sees 50 patients a day, not the one with the most followers. For adults above 55, it is worth asking a healthcare professional whether an echocardiogram is appropriate as part of their health assessment, particularly when symptoms or other clinical findings raise concerns. The population aged 60 and above is projected to increase from 149 million in 2022 to 347 million by 2050, according to the UNFPA India Aging Report 2023. The 2025 European clinical guidelines recommend lifelong clinical and echocardiographic follow-up for people with prosthetic heart valves. For adults over 55, asking a doctor whether an echocardiogram is appropriate as part of a routine health assessment can help explain unexplained changes.
Because infections can sometimes affect prosthetic heart valves, oral health is another consideration. Those early years in policy and TV shaped how she writes today: fast, factual, and human-first.
Subject expertise With 9+ years tracking India’s health conversations, Tavishi knows the gap between clinical advice and daily life. She knows fads from fundamentals and curates science-backed, expert-recommended solutions. In fitness, she breaks down bodyweight training, recovery, and posture fixes for desk-bound readers. In nutrition, she translates guidelines into affordable, desi meal tweaks. In mental well-being, she focuses on stigma-free, actionable tools — all backed by research, expert input, and lived context.
From decoding health trends and interviewing doctors to testing fitness routines herself, Tavishi always approaches content with one filter: “Will this help someone make a better decision today?
