fitcardiologist

24/04/2026

.. this is exactly why we do what we do ..

When 4 years ago, after 20 years of training (starting medical school in 2002 to becoming a consultant in 2022) — I heard 'Thank you for saving my life' for the very first time from a patient, I knew that every long day, every sacrifice, and every challenge had been worth it.

Yes, healthcare can be exhausting. We can be overworked, under pressure, and often underpaid. But moments like this remind us why we chose this path.

When you work in healthcare, purpose finds you. The privilege of helping others brings a kind of fulfilment that is hard to describe.

Being a healthcare professional is truly amazing — and my patient absolutely made my day yesterday 🍅.

** Posted with the patient’s kind permission. **

12/04/2026

London Landmarks Half Marathon 2026.

What an amazing day! Huge shoutout to all the organisers and marshals for delivering such an incredible event.

Hands down the best atmosphere I’ve ever experienced in a race — the crowds were unreal from start to finish

And even better, we raised over £300 for MacMillan Cancer Charity, thank you so much for your donations.

12/04/2026

London Landmarks Half Marathon 2026

What an unforgettable day! Huge shoutout to all the organisers and marshals for delivering such an incredible event

Hands down the best atmosphere I’ve ever experienced in a race — the crowds were unreal from start to finish

And even better, we raised over £300 for , thank you so much for your donations.

💚

03/04/2026

Six books that I 'read', while running/at the gym in February and March 2026:

📸 Running/gym in Copenhagen, Denmark. Wi******er 10km medal.

*** would recommend it
** worth reading
*you can skip it

*** 'Outliers' - this book had been recommended to me many times, and it truly lives up to its reputation as a classic. It offers valuable insights into the factors that work in our favor.

*** '7 principles of public speaking' - useful and easy to follow, with a clear, engaging message—plus it’s included free with an Audible membership.

** 'When everyone knows that everyone knows' - an interesting book that offers fresh perspectives on everyday life. It leans into scientific ideas at times, so it rewards careful attention and focus.

** 'Habits for greatness' - an easy, engaging listen packed with motivation, good if you’re feeling a bit distracted and need help refocusing. Free with Audible membership.

** 'Social skills' - a light, effortless listen, perfect for unwinding at the end of the day. Free on Audible.

** 'The power of communication skills and effective listening' - a thoughtful reminder of the importance of clear, effective communication. Easy to follow and availabe with Audible membership.

26/03/2026

London Landmarks Half Marathon is in just over two weeks. I’m running for Macmillan Cancer Support.

If you’re able to donate, it would mean a great deal. Thank you so much for your kindness and support.

https://www.justgiving.com/page/bart-olechowski-3

Macmillan Cancer Support London Landmarks Half Marathon

24/03/2026

Teamwork is a super powerful tool in our Cath Labs.

When a patient arrives with a heart attack, every second matters. In the cardiac catheterisation laboratory (cath lab), survival is rarely the result of one person’s actions—it is the outcome of a highly coordinated team effort. Interventional cardiologists, nurses, radiographers, physiologists, AE doctors, and paramedics work together in a tightly choreographed process designed to restore blood flow to the heart as quickly as possible.

In cases of ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), the gold standard treatment is primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). The critical metric guiding this process is known as “door-to-balloon time”—the time from hospital arrival to reopening the blocked artery in the cath lab. Evidence consistently shows that shorter door-to-balloon times significantly reduce mortality and complications. A large meta-analysis of 32 studies involving nearly 300,000 patients found that longer door-to-balloon delays were associated with a higher risk of mortality compared with treatment within recommended timeframes.�🔗 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29437704/

But reducing this time isn’t simply about speed—it’s about systems and teamwork. From the moment the patient calls for help, the pathway involves multiple teams: ambulance services performing early ECGs, emergency departments activating the cath lab, and the cath lab team preparing equipment and medications before the patient even arrives. Studies highlight that multidisciplinary coordination between ambulance crews, ED teams, nurses, and cardiologists is essential to achieving top-performing STEMI systems.�🔗 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20618567/

To all the professionals working in STEMI networks around the world: paramedics, emergency staff, cath lab nurses, radiographers, physiologists, and cardiologists—your collaboration truly makes the difference for our patients.

📸 Awards like this mean so much, when a team gives its absolute best.

23/03/2026

Teamwork is a super powerful tool in our Cath Labs.

When a patient arrives with a heart attack, every second matters. In the cardiac catheterisation laboratory (cath lab), survival is rarely the result of one person’s actions—it is the outcome of a highly coordinated team effort. Interventional cardiologists, nurses, radiographers, physiologists, AE doctors, and paramedics work together in a tightly choreographed process designed to restore blood flow to the heart as quickly as possible.

In cases of ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), the gold standard treatment is primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). The critical metric guiding this process is known as “door-to-balloon time”—the time from hospital arrival to reopening the blocked artery in the cath lab. Evidence consistently shows that shorter door-to-balloon times significantly reduce mortality and complications. A large meta-analysis of 32 studies involving nearly 300,000 patients found that longer door-to-balloon delays were associated with a higher risk of mortality compared with treatment within recommended timeframes.
🔗 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29437704/

But reducing this time isn’t simply about speed—it’s about systems and teamwork. From the moment the patient calls for help, the pathway involves multiple teams: ambulance services performing early ECGs, emergency departments activating the cath lab, and the cath lab team preparing equipment and medications before the patient even arrives. Studies highlight that multidisciplinary coordination between ambulance crews, ED teams, nurses, and cardiologists is essential to achieving top-performing STEMI systems.
🔗 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20618567/

To all the professionals working in STEMI networks around the world: paramedics, emergency staff, cath lab nurses, radiographers, physiologists, and cardiologists—your collaboration truly makes the difference for our patients.

05/03/2026

How Space Travel Affects The Human Heart: What NASA Taught Us

New blog post:

https://drbart.co.uk/how-space-travel-affects-the-human-heart-what-nasa-taught-us/

Human space exploration pushes the boundaries of science, technology, and medicine. For decades, researchers have sought to understand how living beyond Earth’s gravity affects the human body — particularly the cardiovascular system. Heart health in astronauts is a cornerstone of space medicine research, because the heart and blood vessels evolved under Earth’s gravity and face unique stresses in space.

In our blog, we explore how spaceflight alters heart structure and function, what real research tells us about cardiovascular deconditioning, and how NASA and international partners are learning to protect the heart during missions — from weeks on the International Space Station to future voyages to Mars.

21/02/2026

11/02/2026

Seven books that I 'read', while running/at the gym in December '25 and January '26:

📸 Gym in Wi******er

*** would recommend it
** worth reading
*you can skip it

*** 'The slight edge' - great book describing daily habits, which are easy to do but also not to do.

*** 'The diary of CEO - the 33 laws of business and life' - super insigtful, helpful and easy to read.

*** 'Poor your heart into' Howard Schultz's - the founder of Starbucks biography, super motivational.

** 'Best loser wins' - psychology of business/trading but useful also to other high achieving professionals.

* 'How to analyse and influence peopele using body language' - good practical guide, but only if you are at the beginning of improving your communication skills.

* 'Six sales skills everyone should know' - basic book, it comes for free with the Audible membership.

* 'Your next seven income streams' - worth reading but only if you are the beginnig of your financial journey, included with Audible membership too.

Looking for good RECOMMENDATIONs for February and March - Non Fiction please.

03/02/2026

New blog post on www.drbart.co.uk

Ancient Heart Medicine: What Egyptians And Indians Knew

https://drbart.co.uk/ancient-heart-medicine-what-egyptians-and-indians-knew/

Our understanding of the human heart and cardiovascular system has evolved over thousands of years. Today’s evidence-based cardiology is grounded in advanced imaging, clinical trials, molecular biology, and large population studies. Yet, the roots of this knowledge extend deep into antiquity — especially in ancient medicine cardiovascular traditions found in Egypt and India. These early civilizations cared deeply about the heart’s role in life, disease, and wellness. While their theories differ from modern science, many of their observations foretold later discoveries and continue to influence traditional health systems like Ayurveda heart health practices today.
This blog post explores how ancient Egyptians and Indians conceptualized, treated, and symbolized heart health, weaving together historical cardiologyaccounts and modern research evidence.

28/01/2026

It seems that some younger doctors and medical students see me here as something of a role model. With that in mind, I’d like to share five very simple rules that I try to live by in my professional journey. This hasn’t always been easy or smooth - there have definitely been bumps along the way - but these principles have helped me stay grounded.

1. You already have what it takes.
Being a medical student or a young doctor already means you have the ability to choose almost any direction. Some of us are naturally stronger communicators, others are more hands-on and procedural—but all of these skills are trainable. With time, practice, and effort, you can grow into whatever role you choose.

2. Choose your specialty for the right reasons.
Base your decision on just two things:
a) What you truly enjoy and feel passionate about.
b) What’s best for you and your family in the long run.
You’ll hear countless opinions, but tuning into these two factors usually leads to the right path. Even if it looks longer or harder at first, following your heart and priorities almost always pays off down the line

3. Patients come first—always.
No matter how many tasks are competing for your attention, prioritise the actions that directly help your patients. When in doubt, ask: “What serves them best right now?” That simple question cuts through the noise.

4. Be positive and respectful toward your colleagues.
We all have different interests, come from different backgrounds, and sometimes have different priorities. But we share the same goal: the best possible outcomes for our patients. That common purpose is what unites us. A kind word and mutual respect go a long way in building strong teams.

5. Progress and consistency matter more than perfection.
Life will throw surprises at you - and you won’t always be at 100%. That’s okay. What counts is consistency: small, daily (or weekly) improvements that give you a sense of momentum and those little “wins” that lift your mood. Keep a bigger vision alive—the dream you see when you close your eyes—and let it pull you forward.

Good luck, my medical Friends.