A heart problem does not always announce itselfWhy family history mattersDiet, tobacco, diabetes and obesity all add to the pictureFor many people, the heart becomes something to worry about much later in life.
His broader advice is that everyone should have a full health assessment by around 30.
World Heart Day will be observed on September 29.The reason is simple: some of the factors that eventually contribute to heart disease can develop silently for years before a person notices anything unusual.Dr Trehan described heart disease as multifactorial.
He said doctors need to look at several factors rather than focusing on one number or one test.That can include blood markers, body composition, diabetes risk and genetic factors.He has also pointed to the growing role of genome sequencing.
And by 30, Dr Trehan says, people should at least know where they stand.
A heart problem does not always announce itself
Why family history matters
Diet, tobacco, diabetes and obesity all add to the picture
For many people, the heart becomes something to worry about much later in life. A health check in the 20s may mean checking weight, blood sugar or vitamin levels, but few young adults think of their heart as something that needs attention yet.Dr Naresh Trehan believes that thinking needs to change, particularly for people with a family history of heart disease or diabetes.Speaking to TOI Health in Noida, Padma Shri Dr. Trehan said people with such a family history should have a thorough health assessment by the age of 25. His broader advice is that everyone should have a full health assessment by around 30. World Heart Day will be observed on September 29.The reason is simple: some of the factors that eventually contribute to heart disease can develop silently for years before a person notices anything unusual.Dr Trehan described heart disease as multifactorial. In other words, there is rarely just one reason behind it. Family history can play a role, but so can diabetes, obesity, diet, tobacco use, stress and other lifestyle factors.That makes early assessment useful, he said, because it can reveal risks while there is still time to change them.“If you have heart disease or diabetes in your family then by the age of 25 you should have a full analysis of your body,” Dr Trehan said.He mentioned tests such as a treadmill test and echocardiogram as ways doctors can assess cardiac function and look for abnormalities. He also referred to abdominal ultrasound as part of a broader assessment of a person's health.The exact tests needed, however, depend on an individual's age, symptoms, family history and risk factors.This is where the advice becomes particularly relevant for young Indians who may assume that being young protects them from cardiovascular disease.Dr Trehan has previously said that people with a family history of heart disease should have their first check-up before 25, while everyone should have undergone a full health assessment by 30. He said doctors need to look at several factors rather than focusing on one number or one test.That can include blood markers, body composition, diabetes risk and genetic factors.He has also pointed to the growing role of genome sequencing. According to Dr Trehan, advances in genetic testing can help identify certain inherited risks and contribute to more personalised health assessments.Dr Trehan also stressed that heart disease cannot be separated from everyday habits.Poor diet, diabetes, obesity and tobacco consumption can all contribute to cardiovascular risk. He has urged people to exercise regularly, maintain a healthy weight, eat a balanced diet and manage stress. The cardiologist also highlighted tobacco use in any form as a major concern and potential risk for the heart.His larger message ahead of World Heart Day is therefore not simply to book a heart test at a particular age.It is to stop thinking of heart health as something that begins only after the first warning sign.For someone with a strong family history, the 20s may be the time to start asking questions about future risk. And by 30, Dr Trehan says, people should at least know where they stand.
