Predict heart attacks early with simple tests

By Dr Utkarsh Shah
Critical Care & Internal Medicine Specialist

Heart disease is no longer limited to old age. Across India, doctors are increasingly seeing heart attacks in people in their early 30s. Long working hours, stress, poor sleep, smoking, unhealthy diets, obesity, and rising diabetes are silently damaging young hearts. The most worrying fact is that many young people feel perfectly healthy until a sudden cardiac event occurs. Fortunately, a few simple blood tests can identify heart risk years before symptoms appear.

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Cholesterol: Understanding what report really means

A fasting lipid profile remains the first step in heart risk assessment. Modern guidelines emphasise looking beyond total cholesterol and focusing on key components:

• LDL ("bad" cholesterol): Levels below 100 mg/dL are desirable; values above 130 mg/dL increase risk.
• HDL ("good" cholesterol): Ideally above 40 mg/dL in men and above 50 mg/dL in women.
• Triglycerides: Levels below 150 mg/dL are considered normal. Low HDL and high triglycerides are common in young Indians and strongly linked to early heart disease.

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Lipoprotein(a): The Hidden Genetic Risk

Lipoprotein(a) is a genetically inherited cholesterol particle often missed in routine tests:

• Low risk: Below 30 mg/dL
• High risk: Above 50 mg/dL

Testing once in a lifetime is advised, especially with a family history of early heart disease.

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hs-CRP: Detecting silent inflammation

hs-CRP measures low-grade inflammation in blood vessels:

• Low risk: Below 1 mg/L
• Moderate risk: 1–3 mg/L
• High risk: Above 3 mg/L

Smoking, obesity, stress, and poor sleep frequently raise levels.

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Homocysteine: A small test with serious impact

Homocysteine damages blood vessels and increases clot risk:

• Normal: Below 15 μmol/L
• High risk: Above 15 μmol/L

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Early testing can save decades of life

These tests are affordable, widely available, and require only one blood sample. Early detection allows timely lifestyle correction and preventive care. Heart disease in the young is largely preventable when risk is identified early.

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Published in Lokmat Times, Nagpur Main, Page No. 7, Mar 05, 2026