Cardiologist passes on his stethoscope

Cardiologist Nigel Sinclair has passed his stethoscope to a younger colleague after 27 years helping Hedland residents overcome heart disease.

The surgeon, who performs stent and pacemaker procedures in major Perth hospitals, first started flying to Hedland as a visiting specialist in the 1980s.

Over that time, he has seen hundreds of patients, treating them with preventative care in the Pilbara, if possible, or referring them down to Perth for surgery when needed.

As many who have seen a loved one emerge from procedures such as a stent insert can attest, the surgery can not only be lifesaving but often act like a tonic of youth, giving patients renewed fitness and zest.

Dr Sinclair said seeing patients bounce back to health was a highlight.

"It is amazing how often you go to see the patient after the procedure and they'll say, 'I just feel different, the chest feels easier' and that is very gratifying," he said.

His tenure as a visiting specialist has also coincided with immense change in the Pilbara.

By providing expert cardiology care to Hedland residents for 27 years, he has been a stable presence at a time when many other services were thrown into turmoil by the mining boom.

Yet rather than focusing on his own contribution, Dr Sinclair instead turned the focus back onto the challenges still faced, such as the high incidence of rheumatic heart disease. "It is still quite common in the Aboriginal population and it is basically a disease of poverty," he said.

The disease can occur when a young person contracts a throat infection from a certain bacteria, which causes a reaction that can damage the heart valves and heart muscle.

"If it is gotten onto quickly and they are given antibiotics, then major damage can be prevented," he said.

"If you don't … they may need to have heart valve replacement at a fairly young age."

While other heart diseases are also common, thankfully Dr Sinclair reported some healthy habits were catching on. "Initially when I went up there … the standard (amount to drink) in those days was a carton a night."

"I was like 'wow' … but they are definitely drinking and smoking less now."

Mr Sinclair still visits Newman and Karratha as a specialist cardiologist.