Raised in Townsville, North Queensland, he completed his medical degree at James Cook University, graduating with honours. He undertook his physician and specialty cardiology training at Princess Alexandra and Nambour General Hospitals. Following this, he commenced Interventional Cardiology training at the Princess Alexandra Hospital and subsequently undertook a 12month Interventional & Structural Cardiology Fellowship at the world-renowned Stanford University in California, USA. On return to Australia, he undertook further training in Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation and complex coronary procedures at St Andrew’s War Memorial Hospital.
Dr Chacko has particular interest in chest pain assessment, coronary artery disease, valvular heart disease and preventative cardiology. He performs diagnostic coronary angiography, coronary intervention (stenting) and transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). Dr Chacko is one of few cardiologists in the country trained in performing coronary microvascular and vasospasm testing.
While completing his fellowship at Stanford University, he undertook research in minimally invasive aortic valve therapies and advanced coronary physiology including fractional flow reserve, microvascular dysfunction and myocardial bridge assessment. He has published journal articles in national and international journals as well as a book chapter in Interventional Cardiology. His research has been presented at national and international conferences.
Dr Chacko is a senior lecturer at the University of Queensland and is actively involved in teaching medical students and junior doctors.