First Person: Prevent before you treat: A cardiologist’s message

My journey in the field of cardiology began in the 1980s, a time when the discipline was still gaining momentum in India. What drew me in was not just the complexity of heart disease but the urgent need to create real impact. Cardiac illness was on the rise, and I felt compelled to contribute in a way that went beyond treatment. From the start, I believed that prevention must be a central pillar of healthcare. That belief has only strengthened over the decades.

Today, I am deeply concerned by a troubling trend: a growing number of heart attack cases among people in their twenties and thirties. This was once a condition largely confined to older adults, but that is no longer the case. The shift is stark—and it should serve as a wake-up call for society. I attribute this rise in young patients to a combination of modern lifestyle factors: lack of physical activity, poor dietary habits, smoking, alcohol consumption, unmanaged stress and the tendency to neglect routine medical check-ups. Each of these elements chips away at heart health, often silently, until it is too late.

In Punjab, where I practise, there are particular challenges to heart health. Our cultural fondness for rich, high-fat foods—paranthas, butter, ghee—is deeply ingrained. I understand the emotional and traditional value of food in our lives, but I urge everyone to embrace moderation. It pains me to see how many patients only seek help when symptoms become severe, by which time complications have already developed. This highlights the pressing need to expand preventive cardiology, especially in rural and semi-urban areas, where awareness and access to care are still limited.

I firmly believe that lifestyle is our first and most effective line of defence. Daily physical activity, a diet rich in fresh fruits and vegetables while low in processed and fatty foods, and regular health screenings—these are not difficult habits to adopt, yet their impact is immense. They can significantly reduce the risk of cardiac problems and enhance overall well-being.

Despite the challenges, I remain optimistic about the future of cardiology. Technological advancements such as robot-assisted surgeries, more accurate non-invasive diagnostic tools and the promise of personalised medicine are transforming the way we manage heart disease. The ability to tailor treatment based on a person’s genetic and lifestyle profile will be a game-changer in the years ahead.

As someone who has mentored many young doctors, I always tell them that medicine is not merely a science, it is also an art. Stay humble, remain curious and practise compassion. Healing comes not just from knowing the disease but from truly understanding the person behind it.

Looking back, my aspiration is simple. I hope to be remembered as someone who served with integrity and compassion. If I can inspire even a few people to make healthier choices, to live more mindfully, that would be a legacy worth leaving behind.

I want to reiterate the one message that has guided me throughout my career: the best treatment is prevention. In an age where so much of healthcare is centred around cures, we must not forget that our daily choices are the true foundation of good health.