Metabolic health is the foundation of long life and protection from heart attack & stroke.
Diabetes, hypertension, abnormal lipids and obesity are shared risk factors for both brain and heart diseases.
But are we measuring them the right way? Not always.
1. Blood Pressure
A single BP reading in the clinic can mislead. Anxiety and inadequate rest matter.
๐ Home BP monitoring is essential, especially if clinic readings are high.
2. Glucose Metabolism
Waiting for diabetes to appear may be too late.
๐ Insulin resistance is the earliest warning sign and can be detected using fasting insulin and HOMA-IR; when lifestyle changes are most effective.
3. Cholesterol
LDL cholesterol alone doesnโt tell the full story.
๐ ApoB better reflects all atherogenic particles and cardiovascular risk.
4. Obesity
Weight and BMI are crude markers.
๐ Abdominal and visceral fat matter more. Waist circumference and waist-hip ratio outperform BMI.
(DEXA/MRI offer precision, when needed.)
5. Sleep
Often ignored, yet crucial.
๐ 7โ9 hours of regular, good-quality sleep lowers cardiovascular risk.
6. Physical Activity
Sitting too much is a risk factor by itself.
๐ Both aerobic exercise and strength training should be assessed; not assumed.
Bottom line:
Early detection better markers lifestyle correction result in fewer strokes, fewer heart attacks, and longer life.
Dr Sudhir Kumar
Neurologist, Hyderabad