10 Best Cardiac Hospitals in India for International Patients (2025–26)

India performs more cardiac surgeries per year than any country outside the United States and China. For international patients — whether you are coming from Nigeria, Iraq, Bangladesh, the UK or Canada — the hardest part is not deciding to come to India. It is knowing which hospital to trust with your heart.

Not all hospitals are equal. A tier-1 JCI-accredited cardiac centre in Delhi or Bengaluru is a fundamentally different institution from a smaller regional hospital, even if both technically offer bypass surgery. The difference shows up in surgical volumes, complication rates, ICU capability, the experience of the surgical team, and in the practical experience of international patients — how smoothly their visa process went, whether there was a translator, whether their discharge summary was ready on time. For a full breakdown of what bypass surgery costs at each tier, see our Heart Bypass Surgery Cost Guide.

This guide ranks the ten best cardiac hospitals in India for international patients based on accreditation status, surgical outcomes data, international patient infrastructure, cardiac programme volume and the verified experiences of patients who have travelled through GAF Healthcare. Every hospital on this list has a dedicated international patient department and has successfully treated patients from at least 20 countries.

How We Ranked These Hospitals

We evaluated each hospital against six criteria. A hospital needed to score well across all six — not just one or two — to appear on this list.

#1 — Fortis Escorts Heart Institute, New Delhi

Fortis Escorts Heart Institute is India's most specialised and highest-volume dedicated cardiac centre. It does one thing and does it at a scale and consistency that no other hospital in South Asia can match. Every year, the institute performs more bypass surgeries than most Western cardiac centres perform in a decade. That volume is not just a statistic — it means the surgical teams, ICU nurses, perfusionists and cardiac anaesthesiologists are operating at the very peak of their craft, every single day.

For an international patient with significant coronary artery disease — triple vessel disease, left main disease, or a re-do bypass after a previous operation — Fortis Escorts is the single most experienced institution you can choose in India. The head of cardiothoracic surgery, Dr. Z.S. Meharwal, has personally performed over 15,000 cardiac surgeries and is among the most published cardiac surgeons in Asia.

What makes it stand out for international patients:

• Dedicated International Patient Centre with 24-hour coordinator access
• Arabic, French and Swahili-speaking staff for African and Middle Eastern patients
• On-site pharmacy, money exchange and travel desk for international patients
• Beating-heart (off-pump) CABG available for high-risk patients — reduces complications in selected cases
• Strong track record with redo (repeat) bypass surgery — a technically demanding procedure few centres handle well

Best suited for: Patients with triple or quadruple vessel disease, left main coronary artery disease, previous cardiac surgery requiring a redo, or complex anatomy that needs the most experienced hands available. Read our full bypass surgery guide to understand which type of CABG applies to your case.

#2 — Apollo Hospitals, New Delhi

Apollo Hospitals created modern cardiac surgery in India. The first coronary angioplasty performed in the country happened here. Today, Apollo Delhi is a 695-bed quaternary care hospital with one of the largest and most technologically advanced cardiac programmes on the continent. It is the natural first choice for international patients seeking robotic-assisted or minimally invasive cardiac surgery, where smaller incisions mean faster recovery and less pain.

Apollo's international patient wing is arguably the most developed in India. It operates in over 30 languages, has tied-up insurance arrangements with government health schemes from Bangladesh, Oman, Ethiopia and a dozen other countries, and has a dedicated telemedicine unit that follows up international patients remotely for up to a year post-surgery. If your primary concern is seamless end-to-end coordination from your home country to discharge and back, Apollo Delhi is the benchmark.

• Da Vinci robotic system available for minimally invasive cardiac procedures
• Insurance tie-ups with government health schemes from Bangladesh, Ethiopia, Oman, Nepal, Tanzania
• Remote pre-operative consultation available — surgeon reviews your case before you book flights
• Hybrid cardiac catheterisation suite for complex combined interventional and surgical cases

Best suited for: Patients who want robotic or minimally invasive bypass surgery, those with government health insurance from partner countries, and patients who prioritise comprehensive multilingual coordination.

#3 — Medanta — The Medicity, Gurgaon

Medanta was founded by Dr. Naresh Trehan, who trained at NYU Medical Center in New York and is widely considered one of the finest cardiac surgeons in the world. He returned to India with the express purpose of building a hospital that matched — and in some respects surpassed — the best Western institutions. The result is a 1,200-bed quaternary care centre that is among the most sophisticated medical facilities in Asia.

Medanta is also one of the few hospitals in India with an active heart transplant programme, which speaks to the depth of its cardiac infrastructure: perfusionists, cardiac anaesthesiologists, transplant coordinators, and immunology support that together represent the highest tier of cardiac medicine. If you need bypass surgery, you are in a hospital capable of doing everything from a single-vessel CABG to a full heart transplant — that institutional depth matters.

• Founded and led by Dr. Naresh Trehan — one of India's most globally recognised cardiac surgeons
• 45 operation theatres including dedicated cardiac theatres with the latest intraoperative monitoring
• TAVI (transcatheter aortic valve implantation) programme for high-risk valve patients
• On-site hotel-style international patient suites within the hospital complex

Best suited for: High-complexity cardiac cases, patients who have been told they are high-risk for surgery, those requiring combined bypass and valve procedures, and patients for whom surgeon name recognition matters in their home country.

#4 — Narayana Health, Bengaluru

Narayana Health is India's most remarkable cardiac story. Founded by Dr. Devi Prasad Shetty — who once served as Mother Teresa's personal cardiac surgeon — Narayana set out to prove that world-class cardiac surgery does not have to be expensive. It succeeded spectacularly. Narayana Health City in Bengaluru performs more cardiac surgeries annually than almost any hospital in the world, and does so at prices that are genuinely transformative for patients from lower-income countries.

The economics of Narayana Health work because of sheer volume — when your surgeons perform ten to fifteen operations per day, skills reach levels that are simply impossible to achieve at lower volumes. The data backs this up: Narayana Health's mortality rates for cardiac surgery are comparable to the best hospitals in the United States and United Kingdom, at a fraction of the cost. For patients from Africa and SAARC countries for whom cost is the decisive factor alongside quality, Narayana Health is often the most compelling choice in India.

• Lowest cardiac surgery costs of any JCI-accredited centre on this list — without compromising outcomes
• Extensive experience treating patients from East Africa (Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda) and SAARC
• Paediatric cardiac surgery programme — one of the busiest in the world for children's heart surgery
• Telemedicine programme for pre-operative and post-operative consultations with patients in remote locations

Best suited for: Patients for whom cost is a major consideration alongside quality, patients from East Africa and SAARC, paediatric cardiac patients, and anyone seeking the most experienced surgical volume in Asia.

#5 — Max Super Speciality Hospital, Saket, New Delhi

Max Super Speciality Hospital Saket is one of Delhi's largest and most comprehensive hospitals, with a strong cardiac surgery programme that handles both routine and complex coronary cases. It sits at the intersection of high quality and competitive pricing — offering outcomes comparable to the most expensive Delhi hospitals at a cost that is often 15–20% lower, making it an excellent choice for patients who want a reputable Delhi cardiac programme without the premium pricing of Fortis Escorts or Medanta.

• Competitive all-inclusive packages for international patients — clearly itemised, no hidden charges
• Strong electrophysiology programme for patients needing combined bypass and arrhythmia treatment
• 24-hour cardiac emergency team for patients who arrive with acute presentations
• Conveniently located in South Delhi with multiple hotel options within 2 km

#6 — Fortis Memorial Research Institute, Gurgaon

Fortis Memorial Research Institute (FMRI) is a different proposition from Fortis Escorts — it is a broad multi-specialty quaternary hospital rather than a dedicated cardiac centre, but its cardiac programme is among the best in the Delhi-NCR region. For patients who need bypass surgery alongside another major procedure — or whose cardiologist has identified co-existing conditions in other organ systems — FMRI's ability to coordinate across specialties under one roof is a genuine advantage.

• Exceptional for patients with cardiac disease alongside diabetes, kidney disease or other conditions requiring specialist co-management
• On-site cardiac rehabilitation gym and physiotherapy department
• Dedicated international patient concierge — personal coordinator assigned from visa to discharge

#7 — Artemis Hospital, Gurgaon

Artemis Hospital is Gurgaon's most technology-forward cardiac centre. It was among the first hospitals in the Delhi-NCR region to introduce robotic-assisted cardiac surgery and continues to invest heavily in surgical technology. For patients who specifically want minimally invasive bypass surgery — smaller incisions, faster return to normal activity, less post-operative pain — Artemis is one of the strongest options outside Apollo Delhi.

• Particularly strong track record with patients from the Gulf and Africa
• Advanced hybrid catheterisation suite for complex combined interventional and surgical procedures
• Multilingual international patient team with Arabic-speaking coordinators

#8 — Manipal Hospitals, Bengaluru

Manipal Hospitals Bengaluru is the flagship of the Manipal Health Enterprises group, one of India's largest hospital networks. Its cardiac programme benefits from the group's ability to attract top-tier surgical talent and invest in cutting-edge cardiac imaging — including advanced 4D echocardiography and cardiac MRI capabilities that many standalone cardiac centres cannot match.

• Advanced cardiac imaging — 4D echo, cardiac MRI — for precise pre-surgical planning
• Network connectivity: if you need a second opinion or specialist referral within India, the Manipal network provides it seamlessly
• Strong programme for electrophysiology and complex arrhythmia ablation alongside cardiac surgery

#9 — Manipal Hospitals, Dwarka, New Delhi

Manipal Hospitals Dwarka is Delhi's most conveniently located major cardiac hospital for arriving international patients — it sits just 8 km from Indira Gandhi International Airport. For patients flying in from the Gulf, Africa or anywhere in the world, going directly from the airport to the hospital for pre-operative workup, without crossing the full breadth of Delhi, is a meaningful practical advantage. The hospital carries the full Manipal quality assurance framework and offers second opinions within the group network.

• Closest major cardiac hospital to Delhi airport — ideal for patients arriving from long haul
• Strong tele-consultation programme — your Indian cardiologist reviews your case before you travel
• Seamless referral within the Manipal network if you need a specialist not available at Dwarka

Side-by-Side Comparison: All 9 Hospitals

Use this table to quickly compare key parameters across all hospitals on our list. All cost figures are approximate ranges for a triple-vessel CABG at each institution and are correct as of 2025–26.

★ Narayana Health offers the lowest cost of any JCI-accredited centre on this list. Cost figures are indicative ranges for triple-vessel CABG and will vary based on your specific case. For a full itemised cost breakdown across all vessel counts, see our Bypass Surgery Cost Guide.

How to Choose the Right Hospital for Your Case

Reading a list is a starting point. Choosing the right hospital for your heart surgery requires matching your specific clinical situation, practical constraints and personal priorities to the right institution. Here is a simple framework.

Choose based on your clinical complexity

If your cardiologist has described your case as straightforward — one or two vessel disease with a clear surgical plan — most hospitals on this list will handle it with equal competence. But if you have triple or quadruple vessel disease, left main coronary artery disease, a previous bypass that needs redoing, or a weak heart muscle (low ejection fraction), you should prioritise Fortis Escorts, Medanta or Apollo Delhi — the highest-volume centres with the deepest experience of exactly these complex cases. The difference between a routine bypass and a complex redo at a high-risk patient can mean the difference between an eight-day stay and a three-week one, and the experience of the team makes the largest single difference in that outcome.

Choose based on cost sensitivity

If cost is your primary constraint alongside quality — as it is for many patients coming from Nigeria, Tanzania, Bangladesh or Nepal — Narayana Health Bengaluru offers the most compelling combination of outcomes data and affordability on this list. It is followed closely by Manipal Hospitals (both Delhi and Bengaluru) and Artemis Hospital. For a standard triple-vessel CABG, you can expect all-in hospital costs in the range of USD 4,000–5,800 at these three institutions. See the full Heart Bypass Surgery Cost in India guide for a complete breakdown including single, double, triple and quadruple vessel pricing.

Choose based on surgeon preference

In many cultures, particularly across the Middle East and South Asia, the decision starts with the surgeon rather than the hospital. If you have been referred to a specific doctor — or have done your own research and identified a surgeon whose experience matches your condition — the hospital follows from that choice. Read the profiles of Dr. Z.S. Meharwal, Dr. Naresh Trehan, Dr. Yugal Kishore Mishra and others to identify who is the right match for your anatomy and risk profile.

Choose based on your country's ties with India

If your government runs a medical treatment abroad scheme that covers cardiac surgery in India — as the Bangladeshi, Omani, Ethiopian and Nepali governments do — Apollo Delhi is the most likely to have an existing billing arrangement with your scheme. Contact GAF Healthcare to confirm whether your government health insurance is accepted at any of these hospitals before booking.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the best hospital for heart bypass surgery in India?

Fortis Escorts Heart Institute in New Delhi is India's most specialised and highest-volume dedicated cardiac hospital, making it the top choice for complex bypass surgery. Apollo Hospitals Delhi and Medanta Gurgaon are close behind for overall quality, international infrastructure and surgical outcomes. For patients prioritising cost alongside quality, Narayana Health Bengaluru offers the most compelling value of any JCI-accredited centre in India.

Is JCI accreditation important when choosing a cardiac hospital in India?

JCI (Joint Commission International) accreditation is the gold standard for international hospitals. It certifies that the institution meets the same patient safety, infection control and clinical governance standards applied to leading hospitals in the US and Europe. All hospitals on this list hold either JCI or NABH accreditation — India's own equivalent national standard, which is rigorous and widely respected. GAF Healthcare does not work with hospitals that lack accreditation.

Do these hospitals have international patient departments?

Yes — every hospital on this list has a dedicated International Patient Department (IPD). Services typically include: a personal international patient coordinator, multilingual staff, visa invitation letter service, insurance liaison, airport pickup, and telemedicine follow-up after you return home. The depth and quality of these services varies, which is why GAF Healthcare's coordination sits on top — we ensure nothing falls through the gaps regardless of which hospital you choose.

Can I get a second opinion from an Indian cardiac surgeon before travelling?

Yes, and we strongly recommend it. GAF Healthcare arranges video consultations with your proposed surgeon before you book flights or apply for a visa. The surgeon reviews your angiography report, discusses the operative plan, and answers your questions directly. This consultation is included in our coordination service at no extra charge.

What is the difference between Delhi and Bengaluru for cardiac surgery?

Delhi-NCR is home to the largest concentration of high-volume cardiac centres in India, including India's dedicated cardiac hospital (Fortis Escorts). For the most complex cases, Delhi's depth of specialist expertise is unmatched. Bengaluru offers world-class quality — particularly at Narayana Health and Manipal — at prices that are typically 8–12% lower than equivalent Delhi hospitals. Both cities have excellent international flight connections. Your choice between them should be driven by your clinical case, surgeon preference and cost.

How long will I need to stay in India for bypass surgery?

Most international patients stay 14–21 days in total: 7–10 days in hospital (including 2–3 nights in cardiac ICU), followed by 7–10 days of hotel-based recovery near the hospital before your surgeon clears you to fly home. See our full Heart Bypass Surgery Guide for the complete recovery timeline.