Lucknow: Regular health screenings from the age of 18-20 can help detect cardiovascular disease (CVD) risks early, experts highlighted at a conference by the Lipid Association of India on Monday. They noted that CVDs are increasingly affecting young individuals in India due to poor diet, sedentary lifestyles, and genetic predispositions.
Dr Akshay Pradhan from KGMU cardiology department advised that families with a history of heart attacks under 40 years should be extra cautious. He warned that children as young as two years in such families may also be at risk.
Dr Nathan Wong from the UCI Heart Disease Prevention Programme, School of Medicine, Irvine, USA, recommended regular lipid profile, sugar, and blood pressure tests. He explained that these simple tests take only five minutes, with lipid profile results available within two to three hours. He also highlighted that 70% of deaths in diabetic patients are linked to heart attacks.
Association chairman Dr Raman Puri added that irregular lipid levels are a significant cause of heart disease, which can start as early as 10 years of age. Often, symptoms remain unnoticed until the age of 30-35. Regular exercise can reduce triglyceride levels by 50%, lowering the need for medication.
