Heart attacks, for a long time, have been associated with older age groups, coupled with other underlying issues, co-morbidities, and years of unhealthy lifestyle, stress, smoking, and poor diet.
Yet, today, we see several cases of sudden deaths due to heart attacks across the country, especially in the younger population, with no visible prior signs, and no age bar for the occurrences.
According to the latest national census report, cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are the leading cause of mortality in the country, causing nearly 31 per cent of deaths. Additionally, more than 50% of coronary artery disease (CAD) related deaths occur in those under the age of 50, and about 25% heart attacks have been reported in people below 40.
While this is mostly attributed to lifestyle choices, why do people who follow a good lifestyle still develop heart problems? The answers lie in our genes.
The Complete Story
Several studies have shown that the Indian population is not only genetically predisposed to an increased risk of heart disease, but we also develop these conditions a decade sooner than the Western population. The genetic variations that we inherit make us more susceptible to early-onset coronary artery disease, diabetes, and many other chronic diseases.
A combination of the genetic risk factors, along with the lifestyle, is responsible for the occurrence of these diseases, sometimes without giving us any warning signals. So, while our genes load the gun, our lifestyle choices pull the trigger.
Routine health check-ups measure only visible risk factors such as cholesterol, blood pressure, or blood sugar. However, an individual’s genetic predisposition to heart conditions may put them at a greater risk than others.
This calls for an integrated healthcare approach that looks at both lifestyle and genetic risk, giving a complete picture and a chance to improve the controllable factors.
Kardiogen Plus: A Revolutionary Test for Heart Health
Addressing this growing disease burden in India, MedGenome, a pioneer in genetic testing in India, has launched the first-of-its-kind advanced screening test for heart health, Kardiogen Plus. This test combines genomics with established clinical parameters using MedGenome’s proprietary advanced AI and ML algorithms to offer a precise picture of a person’s risk for developing coronary artery disease.
With just a blood or saliva sample, Kardiogen Plus calculates a person’s genetic susceptibility through their Polygenic Risk Score (PRS), which is derived by studying 1.29 million genetic variants associated with CAD. This score indicates whether you have a high, moderate, or average genetic predisposition to CAD.
Alongside the PRS, which is a genetic metric, the test also looks at clinical parameters such as age, gender, smoking habits, lipid levels, blood pressure, diabetes, BMI, and medications to understand the lifestyle factors that may impact the genetic condition. The result is an Integrated Risk Score that provides a comprehensive picture of an individual’s risk for CAD.
This test has been validated for the South Asian population and has demonstrated a strong accuracy with a 95% positive predictive value. In simple terms, it gives you and your doctor a reliable view of your long-term heart health.
Why This Matters For You
Kardiogen Plus can identify high-risk individuals long before symptoms appear, enabling clinicians to prescribe precise and personalised preventive healthcare plans. This also gives the individuals the opportunity to adopt necessary lifestyle changes and make timely medical interventions. The effectiveness of these lifestyle modifications can be monitored over time by re-assessing the heart health score every few months, allowing people to track the improvements or take necessary measures.
The test is also followed by genetic counselling sessions, which patients can avail to understand their report and get the required support to make informed decisions.
Who Should Consider Kardiogen Plus?
If you are under 40 and have a family history of CAD, Kardiogen Plus is highly recommended as it will provide an understanding of your risk for the disease even before the symptoms appear.
If you’re over 40, with lifestyle factors such as smoking, obesity, or diabetes, you should also consider getting tested to ascertain the risk to your health. People with healthy lifestyle choices who would like to learn about their genetic predisposition for heart diseases can take this test to get DNA-powered insights for long-term wellness.
This World Heart Day, Take the First Step
The more we understand our health, the more power we get to take charge of it. Kardiogen Plus provides clarity, confidence, and an opportunity to understand your heart health and prepare for a healthy future.
This World Heart Day, give yourself and your loved ones the gift of a healthy heart with Kardiogen Plus. Prevention starts with awareness, and awareness begins with equipping yourself with the right information.
Disclaimer – The above content is non-editorial, and ET Healthworld hereby disclaims any and all warranties, expressed or implied, relating to it, and does not guarantee, vouch for or necessarily endorse any of the content.
Published On Sep 29, 2025 at 07:09 AM IST
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