Silent until it strikes: Why early screening is your best defense against heart disease

Heart disease remains one of the leading causes of death globally, yet many of its risk factors are preventable with timely intervention and lifestyle changes.

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In a world where health often takes a backseat to a busy lifestyle, proactive heart care can make all the difference. To shed light on the importance of heart screenings — even for those who feel perfectly healthy — we spoke with Dr. Bilal Thangal T M, Medical Lead at NURA — Al Health Screening Centre, a cutting-edge facility combining advanced AI with medical expertise to detect early signs of disease.

In this insightful conversation, Dr. Bilal shares why regular heart checkups should be a priority, how early screenings can uncover hidden risks before symptoms arise, and the powerful role that routine monitoring can play in building healthier, heart-smart habits for life.

How often should I get my heart checked, even if I feel healthy?

Regular heart screening is one of the best methods for maintaining long-term health and avoiding future complications. Almost every adult should receive an annual checkup of fundamental health indicators. These include blood pressure measurement, lipid profiles, fasting glucose or HbA1c, and both BMI and visceral fat measurement. These indicators assist in identifying concealed risk factors that can gradually develop into heart disease if not treated. Also, checking one’s lifestyle such as diet, exercise, and stress levels is crucial for assessing overall heart risk. A coronary calcium (CAC) scan can be particularly helpful. In case the initial score is zero, having the scan every three years would suffice. If the score is positive, it may show higher risk, and yearly checks would be required. The timing needs to be consulted with a cardiologist. If you are taking blood-pressure, diabetic, or cholesterol medicines, such as statins, you should get your lipid levels tested 6 to 12 weeks after treatment begins. Later, check at least every 6 to 12 months. Early detection of problems, making informed decisions, and each step being based on individualized medical guidance result from proactive screening.