Heart disease isn’t only an “old age” problem anymore. Stressful jobs, poor sleep, smoking, unhealthy food and lack of movement are catching up earlier.
In your 30s and 40s, it’s a good time to know your numbers: blood pressure, fasting sugar, cholesterol profile, weight/BMI, and family history of heart disease. These give a basic risk picture.
Small, sustainable lifestyle changes matter a lot—regular physical activity (even brisk walking), not smoking, maintaining a healthy waist size, and prioritising sleep.
Watch out for warning signs: chest pain or pressure with exertion, unexplained breathlessness, pain radiating to jaw/arm, or very fast heartbeat with dizziness. These need urgent evaluation, not just rest and Google.
Even if you feel “fit”, annual or periodic health check-ups help spot silent issues early. Younger people sometimes ignore symptoms, assuming “it can’t be my heart”—but it can.
Heart health is a long game. The habits you build now quietly influence how your 50s and 60s will feel.