Hello, I'm Dr. Nikhil K Sunil. I help families understand children's heart health — clearly, calmly and without the jargon.
Every child's heart tells a story. My job is to help families read it without fear.
I'm Dr. Nikhil K Sunil, a pediatric cardiologist based in Mumbai, India. For over a decade I've worked alongside children and their families — from newborns with congenital heart conditions to teenagers learning to live confidently with a diagnosis.
I trained in pediatrics and then in pediatric cardiology at a high-volume tertiary cardiac centre, and my clinical work spans congenital heart disease, echocardiography and cardiac catheterization. My subspecialty focus is paediatric electrophysiology — the science of the heart's rhythm. Alongside the clinic, I take part in research and present at national and international meetings.
I built Pediatric Heart India because I noticed the same thing in clinic again and again: parents leave appointments with a diagnosis but not always with understanding. This site is my way of bridging that gap — trustworthy, calm, jargon-free information you can return to whenever you need it.
Medicine, for me, has always been about the smallest patients carrying the heaviest burdens. My path into Paediatric Cardiology was not a calculated career decision — it was a calling shaped by the quiet courage of children born with hearts that need a little more help, and the unwavering hope of parents who trust us completely at their most vulnerable moments. Every echocardiogram is a window into a child’s future. Every catheterization is a chance to rewrite a prognosis.
Plain-language information on the heart conditions and questions families meet most often. This is educational content — not a substitute for your own doctor's advice.
Understanding holes in the heart (ASD, VSD), valve differences and other conditions a child may be born with.
Why most childhood murmurs are completely harmless — and when one needs a closer look.
Palpitations, fast or irregular heartbeats — what they mean and how rhythm problems are assessed.
What an echocardiogram, ECG or Holter monitor actually involves — and why they're nothing to fear.
Sport, school, travel, vaccinations and everyday life for a child with a heart condition.
What recovery looks like and how to care for your child as they heal and return to normal life.
Short, reassuring reads for parents. New articles added regularly — check back or follow along.
CARDIOMYOPATHY Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy The thickened heart — the most common cause of sudden cardiac death in young athletes, and how to manage…
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CARDIOMYOPATHY Dilated Cardiomyopathy in Children When the heart muscle stretches and weakens — what causes it, what to expect, and how it…
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ELECTROPHYSIOLOGY Long QT Syndrome The hidden heart rhythm disorder that can cause sudden fainting — and how to protect your child. PEDIATRIC…
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CONGENITAL HEART DISEASE Aortic Stenosis in Children When the valve between the heart and the body is too narrow — causes, symptoms,…
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CONGENITAL HEART DISEASE Pulmonary Stenosis When the valve to the lungs is narrowed — what it means, how we detect it, and…
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Pediatric Cardiology • Parent Guide The Holter Monitor A small wearable device that records every heartbeat for 24–48 hours — quietly capturing…
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The questions families ask most often. For advice specific to your child, always speak to your treating doctor.
Most murmurs heard in childhood are "innocent" — they come from normal blood flow and mean the heart is completely healthy. They often disappear as a child grows. A doctor can usually tell an innocent murmur from one that needs further tests simply by listening, sometimes confirmed with an echocardiogram.
Congenital heart disease (CHD) means a difference in the heart's structure that is present from birth. It is the most common type of birth difference. CHD ranges from small issues that never need treatment to conditions that need specialist care. Many children with CHD go on to live full, active lives.
Not at all. An echocardiogram is an ultrasound scan of the heart. A small probe with warm gel is moved gently over the chest — there are no needles and no radiation. It usually takes 20–40 minutes, and children can often watch a cartoon during the test.
For most children with a heart condition, staying active is encouraged and healthy. The right level of activity depends on the specific diagnosis, so this is something to confirm with your child's cardiologist. Many children with heart conditions play, run and take part in school sport happily.
Signs worth mentioning to a doctor include fast or laboured breathing, tiring or sweating during feeds, poor weight gain, and a persistent bluish tinge to the lips or skin. Most babies with these signs do not have a serious problem — but it is always worth a check so you have peace of mind.
No — this website is purely for education and awareness. It does not offer consultations, appointments or personal medical advice. For any concern about your child, please see your pediatrician or a pediatric cardiologist in person. If you'd like to connect professionally, the contact section below is the best place to reach me.
For professional enquiries, speaking invitations, collaborations or feedback on the articles — I'd love to hear from you.
Pediatric Heart India is an educational resource created to help families understand children's heart health. It is here to inform and reassure — not to diagnose or treat.