Panic is a terrible motivator for health decisions—especially when it comes to your heart. Instead of reacting in fear, it’s time we nurture a culture of routine, age-appropriate cardiac screenings.
Age-based guidelines are useful, but your body often sets its own timeline. Rushing to a hospital after symptoms strike isn’t a health plan—it’s a delay tactic. Heart care should be steady, thoughtful, and proactive.
Bust the myth: There is a right time
Though many believe heart check-ups start at 40 or 50, Indian doctors are seeing warning signs as early as the 30s. Cardiologist Dr Rahul Gupta notes, “For South Asians, the risk clock starts ticking earlier.”
Your heart’s timeline
🔹 20s: Establish a baseline. Know your family history. Monitor your blood pressure.
🔹 30s: Get your first lipid profile. If you’re overweight, smoke, or lead a stressful life, this is a critical decade.
🔹 40s: This is a non-negotiable milestone. Schedule a full check-up, including ECG, lipid and sugar profiles, and consider a stress test.
When your body speaks, listen
Shortness of breath from simple tasks, unexplained chest pressure, or extreme fatigue are red flags. These are subtle but urgent cues.
As Dr Gupta puts it, “Your body speaks in dialects—learn to understand the new ones.”
The crowd at Jayadeva Hospital may have come from fear, but we can all choose prevention over panic. Start today with calm, consistent care.