Being young, active and apparently healthy does not necessarily mean being free from cardiovascular risk. Diabetes, hypertension, abnormal cholesterol and obesity can develop without obvious symptoms, while their cumulative impact can contribute to cardiovascular disease over time. The ICMR-INDIAB study, which assessed 1,13,106 individuals across the country, found diabetes in 11.4%% of the population studied, while also examining the prevalence of prediabetes, hypertension, dyslipidaemia and obesity. The findings highlight the extent to which metabolic risk factors can coexist within the population.
An ICMR-led analysis under the India State-Level Disease Burden Initiative has also identified high blood pressure, high blood sugar, high cholesterol, high body-mass index and unhealthy diet among important contributors to India’s disease burden. Together, these findings reinforce the importance of recognising metabolic risk factors before they progress into more serious health complications.
“Many of the factors associated with cardiovascular risk can be identified through routine blood investigations even before a person develops noticeable symptoms. Tests such as fasting blood glucose, HbA1c and lipid profile can provide useful information about blood sugar regulation and cholesterol levels, while measurements such as BMI and waist circumference can provide additional context around metabolic health. What matters is not simply whether one value is outside the reference range, but how these findings fit together with an individual’s medical history, family history and overall risk profile,” said Dr. Sunita Kapoor, CEO & Chief of Pathology, City Imaging & Clinical Labs.
For younger adults, these basic health parameters can provide an important starting point for understanding cardiovascular risk. Blood pressure can help identify hypertension, fasting blood glucose and HbA1c can detect abnormal blood sugar levels, while a lipid profile provides information on cholesterol and triglycerides. These assessments can be particularly relevant for individuals with a family history of premature heart disease or those with established risk factors such as diabetes, hypertension, obesity, smoking or physical inactivity.
Where symptoms, risk factors or clinical findings indicate the need for further evaluation, cardiac diagnostics can provide more specific information about the heart. An ECG can assess the heart’s electrical activity and rhythm, while 2D echocardiography can evaluate cardiac structure and function. A stress test can assess the heart’s response to physical exertion, while CT Coronary Angiography can provide detailed images of the coronary arteries and may be used when coronary artery disease is suspected.
“Cardiac investigations are most useful when they are selected in response to a specific clinical question rather than viewed as routine tests for every young adult. A person may require an ECG to assess an electrical or rhythm-related concern, echocardiography to examine heart structure and function, or coronary imaging when there is a clinical reason to evaluate the coronary arteries. The appropriate investigation depends on symptoms, age, family history, risk factors and findings from the initial clinical assessment,” said Dr. Aakaar Kapoor, Founder & Partner and Consultant Radiologist, City Imaging & Clinical Labs.
The scope of cardiovascular diagnostics has expanded significantly, with laboratory testing, functional assessment and advanced cardiac imaging each contributing a different layer of information. Together, these modalities can help assess metabolic, electrical, functional and anatomical aspects of cardiovascular health. The key advancement is the ability to bring these different sources of information together to build a more complete picture of an individual’s cardiovascular health and support more informed clinical decisions,” said (Padma Shri) Dr. Harsh Mahajan, Founder & Chairperson, Mahajan Imaging & Labs and Mentor, FICCI Health
The distinction is important because cardiovascular assessment is not a one-size-fits-all process. A young person with no symptoms or recognised risk factors may require only routine monitoring and preventive health checks, while someone with a strong family history, persistent hypertension, diabetes, abnormal cholesterol levels or concerning symptoms may require further medical evaluation. The decision to undertake advanced cardiac investigations should therefore be guided by a healthcare professional based on individual circumstances.
As World Heart Day brings attention to cardiovascular health, the focus is increasingly shifting from responding to established disease to recognising potentially modifiable risk factors earlier. For younger adults, maintaining awareness of blood pressure, blood sugar, cholesterol, body weight and lifestyle factors can provide an opportunity to identify concerns early and seek appropriate medical advice when required.
About City Imaging & Clinical Labs
City Imaging & Clinical Labs is a diagnostic healthcare provider offering imaging and pathology services. Its diagnostic portfolio includes MRI, CT, digital X-ray, cardiology, nuclear imaging, pathology and CT Coronary Angiography, among other services. The organisation provides diagnostic investigations across a range of medical requirements, supporting clinicians in the evaluation and management of patients.
