Saturday, July 18, 2026

Can an Eye Exam Predict Future Cardiovascular Problems?

New research from the Hypertension journal maintains that your eyes may be the windows to your heart, quite literally. In fact, by simply looking at your eyes, the researchers can predict if you’ll be suffering from hypertension or have other cardiovascular problems years after. Scroll below to learn more about this research.

Heart disease and cardiovascular issues are on the rise, and there’s a lot we don’t know about it, still. One major issue is that of early diagnosis and prevention, with medical professionals still lacking the tools that could let them select the individuals at high risk of cardiovascular disease, with many unexplained cases of heart attack and stroke slipping through the cracks each year.

In search of quick and non-invasive methods that could help predict cardiovascular issues, scientists turned to our eyes, which they believe may tell us more about our hearts than we’d expect. Previous research has established that retinal alterations in adults can predict hypertension in adults and even in children.

In fact, a Swiss pediatric study found that children as young as 6 years old exhibit changes in the blood supply to the eyes that points to the earliest signs of blood pressure alterations. These previous studies prompted a large-scale project in the UK looking at retinal changes in 55,000 middle-aged and senior adults.

To do so, 3.5 million images of the blood vessels in the eyes were taken and then analyzed. The study found that the smallest capillaries located in the back of the eye were affected by hypertension and artery stiffness. None of these changes affected the patients’ vision, but they were a reflection of the cardiovascular health of each patient.

This way, just a quick look at a person’s eye may show a medical professional how likely the patient is to have a heart event or any other cardiovascular issue, making this eye exam a useful diagnostic tool. The next step in the study is to put the theory and observations to the test and see how well the recorded retinal changes will predict the likelihood of a heart event in the next 10 years.

Given that cardiovascular disease is one of the greatest health threats of the present, a retinal exam like this may soon become a useful tool for managing and preventing heart conditions and hypertension.



This is only for your information, kindly take the advice of your doctor for food, medicines, exercises and so on.   


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posted by G S Iyer at 6:13 AM 0 comments

Sunday, April 12, 2026

Normal Cholesterol, Hidden Risk: Fortis Cardiologist Explains Why Many Heart Attacks Are Missed Until It Is Too Late

Cholesterol remains an important marker, but it does not tell the whole story. Most people focus on LDL, often called "bad cholesterol".

For many people, a "normal" cholesterol report brings relief. It is often seen as a green signal for heart health. But doctors are increasingly warning that this reassurance can be misleading. A growing number of heart attacks are now being reported in individuals whose routine lipid profiles appear normal. In a country like India, where cardiovascular disease is rising rapidly and affecting people at younger ages, this hidden risk is becoming a serious concern. India's demographic advantage as a young nation is being overshadowed by an alarming rise in Cardiovascular Disease. According to global data, cardiovascular mortality in India has increased by 34% over the past 25 years. Even more concerning is the shift in age. Around 25 percent of heart attack patients are under 40 and nearly 50% are under 50. This means heart disease is no longer confined to older adults.

A Rising Heart Disease Burden In Young India

As Dr Vinayak Agrawal, Senior Director and Head, Non-Invasive Cardiology, Fortis Gurgaon, explains, "A normal cholesterol report is often taken as reassurance that the heart is healthy. In practice, this assumption is being challenged more frequently, with heart attacks occurring in individuals whose routine reports do not indicate high risk."


Why "Normal" Cholesterol May Not Be Enough

Cholesterol remains an important marker, but it does not tell the whole story. Most people focus on LDL, often called "bad cholesterol". However, heart risk is influenced by multiple factors, including HDL (good cholesterol) and triglycerides. In many Indians, a pattern called Atherogenic Dyslipidemia is common. This includes:

  • Low HDL (good cholesterol)
  • High triglycerides
  • Normal or mildly elevated LDL

"This combination can still significantly increase the risk of heart disease, even when standard reports look "normal". Research has shown that nearly 75% of heart attack patients had LDL levels below 100 mg/dL. At the same time, low HDL levels were found in a majority of younger patients," Dr Agrawal says. This highlights a critical gap between what reports show and the actual risk.

Risk Factors Go Beyond Cholesterol

As per Dr Agrawal, study have identified several modifiable risk factors that play a major role in heart disease. These include:

  • High blood pressure
  • Diabetes
  • Smoking
  • Physical inactivity
  • Poor diet
  • Stress
  • Low intake of fruits and vegetables

Another major study found that cardiovascular disease accounts for over one-third of all deaths in South Asia. The burden is even higher in rural populations and among men.

Why Many Heart Attacks Are Missed

One of the biggest challenges is that current risk assessment tools may not be fully suited to younger populations.A study from GB Pant Hospital found that standard calculators failed to identify nearly 80% of individuals who went on to have their first heart attack. These tools often rely heavily on age and LDL levels, which may not reflect the real risk in Indians, especially younger adults. "Standard risk calculators may not capture the actual risk profile, particularly in younger individuals," says Dr Agrawal.

The Role Of Diet And Lifestyle

Diet plays a central role in shaping heart health. Balanced Indian meals that include chapati, dal, vegetables, eggs, meat, and fish can support cardiovascular health. The problem lies in frequent consumption of:

  • Fried foods like samosas, puris, and kachoris
  • Processed foods like burgers, fries, and pizzas
  • Sugary snacks and desserts

These foods are rich in refined carbohydrates, unhealthy fats, and inflammatory components, which can destabilise plaques in arteries. This increases the risk of both heart attacks and strokes. The good news is that combining a healthy diet with regular physical activity can reduce cardiovascular risk by nearly 30%.

Looking Beyond Routine Tests

Experts now recommend going beyond standard cholesterol tests, especially for those with a family history or other risk factors. Advanced markers such as:

  • Lipoprotein(a)
  • High-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP)
  • Detailed lipid profiling

"There is increasing value in looking beyond routine lipid testing. These markers can help identify risks that may not be visible in standard reports," Dr Agrawal explains. A normal cholesterol report does not always mean a healthy heart. In India, where heart disease is striking earlier and often without warning, relying solely on routine tests can be risky. Understanding the broader picture, including lifestyle, hidden risk factors, and advanced testing, is key to prevention. Because when it comes to heart health, what you don't see can be just as dangerous as what you do.


 

This is only for your information, kindly take the advice of your doctor for medicines, exercises and so on.   

 

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posted by G S Iyer at 9:37 AM 0 comments