The sudden loss of singer and actor Prashant Tamang has once again spotlighted an uncomfortable truth: heart disease is no longer an ‘older person’s problem.’ Across India, cardiologists are seeing a worrying rise in cardiac events among people in their 30s and 40s, often without warning symptoms. Long working hours, chronic stress, sedentary routines, poor sleep, smoking, and metabolic disorders have quietly shifted the risk curve downward.
The question, experts say, is no longer about age – but awareness.
Why Heart Screening Should Be Risk-Based, Not Age-Based
“After incidents like the sudden death of Prashant Tamang, an important question people in their 30s and 40s must ask is not ‘Am I old enough for heart tests?’ but ‘Do I have risk factors?’” says Dr. Ansul Patodia, Additional Director – Cardiology
& Electrophysiology, CK Birla Hospitals, Jaipur. He points out that heart disease is appearing earlier due to lifestyle-related factors such as high stress, physical inactivity, diabetes, and abnormal cholesterol levels.
Echoing this concern, Dr. Joy Shome, Head of TAVI/TAVR, BM Birla Heart Hospital, Kolkata, adds, “Heart disease is no longer a condition of old age. We are increasingly seeing heart attacks and cardiac risk factors in people as young as their 30s and 40s.”
What Heart Tests Should You Consider In Your 30s?
For individuals in their 30s, doctors recommend starting with basic, non-invasive screenings, especially if there is a family history of heart disease.
Dr. Patodia explains that foundational tests should include blood pressure monitoring, lipid profile, blood sugar levels, body weight and waist circumference assessment. “An ECG is also advisable, particularly if there is a family history of heart disease,” he says.
Dr. Shome agrees, noting that even asymptomatic individuals benefit from early baseline testing. “An ECG can help detect silent rhythm abnormalities that may otherwise go unnoticed,” he explains.
Screenings To Consider In Your 40s Or Earlier If You’re High-Risk
As risk accumulates with age, screenings often need to go a step further in the 40s – or earlier for those with multiple risk factors such as smoking, diabetes, obesity, or chronic stress.
“Those in their 40s, or younger individuals with multiple risk factors, may benefit from additional tests such as echocardiography, treadmill stress testing, or coronary calcium scoring,” says Dr. Patodia, emphasising that these should be guided by clinical evaluation rather than done indiscriminately.
Dr. Shome adds that advanced imaging can be particularly valuable in uncovering hidden disease. “For individuals with multiple risk factors, tests such as a treadmill stress test or CT coronary angiography can help detect underlying coronary artery disease that may otherwise remain undiagnosed,” he explains.
The Real Goal: Early Detection, Not Fear
Both experts stress that preventive screening is not meant to alarm, but to empower. “The goal of screening is not to create anxiety, but to detect silent risks early, when lifestyle changes and timely medical intervention can prevent major cardiac events,” says Dr. Patodia.
Dr. Shome reinforces this approach: “Early screening helps identify hidden risks before symptoms appear and allows timely lifestyle changes or medical intervention.”
Heart disease often develops quietly, long before symptoms surface. In your 30s and 40s, preventive screening offers a crucial window to identify risks early, when they are most manageable. With personalised testing, informed lifestyle changes, and timely medical care, many cardiac emergencies can be prevented altogether.
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