Dr Bimal Chhajer (MBBS, MD) is an Indian cardiologist and the founder and CEO of the SAAOL (Science and Art of Living) Heart Center. Dr Bimal is known for promoting non-invasive and medicine-free treatments for heart disease through lifestyle modifications and alternative therapies.
Contents
Wiki/Biography
Dr Bimal Chhajer was born in 1961 (age 62 years; as of 2023) in West Bengal. After attending St. Lawrence High School in Kolkata, he pursued his MBBS degree from R.G. Kar Medical College in Kolkata in 1986. At the age of 25, he moved to Delhi and joined the cardiology department at Dr Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital, New Delhi. It was a particular incident during this time that transformed his approach to treating cardiac patients, leading him to advocate for non-invasive or preventive cardiology. He went on to complete his MD in 1989 at King George’s Medical College in Lucknow, where he researched treating heart patients using non-invasive methods. Following his MD, he spent six years (1989-1995) at the renowned All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) as a Senior Resident and Assistant Professor. During this period, he also received training in yoga therapy. [1]LinkedIn
Physical Appearance
Height (approx.): 5′ 6″
Weight (approx.): 75kg
Hair Colour:Ā Black
Eye Colour:Ā Black
Family & Religion
Dr Chhajer was born into a Jain family in West Bengal. [2]Saaol There is not much information about his family.
Address
Head office address: 14/84 Vikram Vihar Lajpat Nagar IV of South Delhi. [3]LinkedIn
Career
Cardiology
Dr Bimal Chhajer’s career in cardiology is marked by his pioneering work and contributions in the realm of preventive cardiology. After his medical education, he began his professional journey by joining the cardiology department at Dr Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital in Delhi. It was during his time there that a pivotal incident reshaped his approach to treating cardiac patients. This incident served as a turning point, inspiring him to advocate strongly for non-invasive and preventive cardiology practices. After this, Dr Chhajer began his journey of research and specialization in non-invasive cardiology. During his pursuit of an MD at King George’s Medical College in Lucknow, he conducted research into innovative and effective non-surgical treatments for heart patients. His dedication to advancing the field led him to explore original techniques and methods to manage heart conditions without resorting to traditional surgical interventions. Dr Chhajer’s dedication and expertise caught the attention of the esteemed All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), where he assumed the roles of Senior Resident and Assistant Professor. His tenure at AIIMS allowed him to further deepen his understanding of preventive cardiology and contribute to the medical community through his insights and research efforts. One of the crowning achievements of his career was when he co-founded the SAAOL (Science and Art of Living) Heart Center in 1995 after resigning from AIIMS. Through this initiative, Dr Chhajer began his journey of impacting several lives by providing patients with comprehensive guidance on adopting healthier lifestyles and utilizing non-invasive techniques to manage heart conditions. His commitment to preventive cardiology and his innovative contributions have earned him recognition as a leading figure in the field. In an interview he stated,
Radical lifestyle change is the only way to reverse blockages.” [4]The Hindu
SAAOL (Science and Art of Living) Heart Center
SAAOL (Science and Art of Living) is a non-profit organization that focuses on the prevention and reversal of heart disease through lifestyle and diet changes. It was founded by Dr Bimal Chhajer in 1995. In 1997, Dr Chhajer inaugurated his second clinic in Mumbai. Over time, he also extended his clinics to cities such as Kolkata, Chennai, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Punjab and many more.
Dr Bimal Chhajer inaugurating the SAAOL Heart Centre in Punjab
SAAOL offers a unique approach to cardiac care, emphasizing non-invasive methods and promoting holistic health. The organization’s mission is to educate individuals about heart disease prevention by adopting a healthy lifestyle, including a balanced diet, exercise, stress management, and yoga. SAAOL promotes the idea that heart disease can be reversed or prevented through lifestyle changes, without solely relying on medication or invasive procedures. Dr Bimal Chhajer developed programs that include personalized diet plans, stress management techniques, yoga sessions, and supervised exercise regimens. SAAOL has gained popularity for its unique and effective approach to heart health. Dr Chhajer’s creation known as the “Saaol Heart Program” has gained widespread acceptance as a method to reverse heart disease. In this approach, besides conventional medications, patients are educated about Yoga, Meditation, Cooking with Zero Oil, Stress Management, Exercise, and Medical Knowledge. Through various workshops, seminars, and educational resources, SAAOL continues to make an impact in promoting heart health awareness and preventive measures among the general population. Recently, Dr Chhajer has introduced two more non-invasive treatments in his centre. These are termed “PAN Bypass” (referred to shortly as “Natural Bypass”) and “Biochemical Angioplasty.” Both methods are highly effective and non-invasive. Dr Chhajer claims that both can be combined with his lifestyle program, the “Saaol Heart Program,” to provide comprehensive treatment for coronary heart disease.
Publications
Dr Chhajer has written around 70 books specifically for heart patients. He has been extensively travelling across India and the world to popularize the non-invasive approach to treatment. Additionally, he releases three monthly magazines focused on Heart Care.
Books
Dr Bimal Chhajer has written many books about leading a healthy lifestyle. He covers a lot of topics to help people make better choices for their health. Some of his books are about heart health, like “Learn How to Reverse: Heart Disease” (2018) and “Heart Attack” (2016). He also talks about problems like high blood pressure and gives tips to manage them in books like “High Blood Pressure” (2014) and “201 Tips For Blood Pressure” (2021). Dr Chhajer shares ideas on how to have healthy eating habits in books like “Zero Oil Cook Book” (2003) and “Zero Oil Thali” (2005) where he helps one understand how to cook without unhealthy oils. He even has books for people with diabetes and those who want to lose weight, like “201 Tips for Diabetes Patients” (2005) and “201 Tips for Losing Weight” (2016). He has written books about taking care of your body, like “Complete Health Series – Kabz”, “Living Healthy With Asthma” (2014), “Complete Guide to Managing Stress” (2003) and “Complete Health Series – Allergy”.
Controversies
False Claims made by SAAOL Heart CentreĀ
Dr. Bimal Chhajer, of Saaol Heart Center, made bold claims of curing heart ailments with natural bypass and bio-chemical angioplasty. Yatish, an elderly man in his 70s, fell for these claims and underwent the treatment with hopes of a healthier heart. However, after five months, Yatish’s angiography results from Fortis Hospital revealed no improvement in his heart blockages of 95% and 80-90%. Feeling cheated, Yatish approached the State Commission in Rajasthan, accusing Dr Chhajer and Saaol Heart Center of unfair trade practices for falsely promising to remove blockages without surgery. The doctor’s defence proved weak as he cited a letter of satisfaction signed by Yatish, and a consent letter for treatment, but the State Commission dismissed them as irrelevant since there was no improvement in the patient’s condition. The commission found the doctor guilty of unfair trade practices and deceptive statements, stating that the doctor had claimed to cure heart disease through natural bypass and bio-chemical angioplasty, which were false representations. Consequently, Dr Chhajer was ordered to compensate Yatish. [5]Institute of Medicine & Law As per the order, Yatish was to receive a total of Rs. 87,300. This included Rs. 83,700 for medical treatment expenses and Rs. 3,600 for a special scan recommended by the doctor.Ā Furthermore, he was to be compensated with Rs. 50,000 for the mental and physical distress caused due to the treatment. Additionally, Rs. 20,000 was to be given for litigation expenses. The payment was to be made within two months; otherwise, an interest of 9% would be added from the day the decision was made (5 February 2015). The exact total could change based on specific dates and circumstances. [6]Indian Kanoon In the end, Yatish received justice and was compensated by Dr Bimal Chhajer.
Awards, Honours, Achievements
- Dr Bimal Chhajer received the Rajiv Gandhi Rashtriya Ekta Award in 2002.
- Dr Chhajer received the Bhaskar Award for the year 2002 from Bharat Nirman.
- Dr Chhajer was the recipient of the Rotary International Vocational Award in 2002.
- Dr Chhajer was given the Samaj Ratna Award by Skjm Samiti in 2004.
- Dr Chahher received the Swami Vivekanand Memorial Oration Award from the Delhi Medical Association in 2004. [7]Saaol
- Dr Bimal Chhajer received the “LBH Visionary Award” from Laksha Bharati Foundation in 2009.
- Dr Chhajer was honoured with the “Sri Raghunath Rai Saraf Smriti Puraskar” at the FICCI Auditorium, New Delhi on March 28, 2010.
- Dr Chhajer received the “Health Siromani Award” from the renowned Laughter Club in September 2010.
- Dr Chhajer was bestowed with the “Jeevan Rakshak Award” by Kolkata Maheshwari Samaj in September 2010.
- Dr Chhajer was presented with the “Doctor of the Year 2012” award by the India Book of Records on February 27, 2013.
- Dr Chhajer was recognized with the prestigious “Banga Seva Samman” an award celebrating excellence among the people of Bengal, in 2011.
- Dr Chajjer was honoured with the “Manav Seva Ratna Samman” by Bhagwan Mahavir Seva Sansthan in 2016. [8]Saaol
- Dr Chhajer received Asia’s Greatest Leaders Award, in 2016 in Singapore.
Dr Chhajer being awarded the Asia’s Greatest Leaders Award in 2016
- Dr Chhajer was honoured with the Most Admired Global Indian Award 2019 by Passion Vista on 25 January 2020.
Dr Chhajer receiving the Most Admired Global Indian Award 2019 from Passion Vista
- Dr Chhajer received the “Outstanding Award For Non-invasive Cardiologist of the Yearā during Asia Healthcare Summit and Awards, 2020.
Dr Chhajer receiving the Outstanding Award For Non-invasive Cardiologist of the Year during the Asia Healthcare Summit and Awards in 2020
Facts/Trivia
- Bimal Chhajer shared his name with a notable Indian intellectual, author, and teacher (now deceased) who established the Indian Institute of Education and Research and was a member of the Indian National Congress.
- Dr Bimal Chhajer posts regularly on heart health on SAAOL’s Instagram, YouTube and Facebook accounts.
- Dr Bimal Chhajer posts videos on the SAAOL Heart Care YouTube page which has 3.09 million subscribers as of 2023.
A thumbnail of Dr Chhajer on the SAAOL Heart Centre YouTube channel
