Know your numbers: The first step to protecting your heart

Heart disease remains the leading cause of death worldwide, yet up to 80 per cent of cases are preventable. According to Dr. Shady Habboush, Consultant Interventional Cardiologist at Saudi German Hospital, Dubai, prevention begins with a simple but powerful step: knowing your numbers and your risk factors. Every adult should routinely monitor blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol, particularly those with a family history of cardiovascular disease. Increasingly, heart attacks are being seen in patients under 40, reinforcing the need to start screening earlier rather than waiting for symptoms.

Understanding cholesterol goes beyond a single value. LDL, and triglycerides must be interpreted within the broader context of risk factors such as diabetes, hypertension, obesity and smoking. A “normal” cholesterol reading may not be reassuring if other risks are present. Dr.Habboush also highlights Lipoprotein(a), or Lp(a), a genetically determined lipoprotein associated with increased atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease risk. Largely unaffected by diet or lifestyle, Lp(a) levels are inherited and international guidelines recommend testing at least once in adulthood to assess underlying cardiovascular risk.

While advanced interventions such as stenting and newer cholesterol-lowering therapies are transforming treatment, healthy lifestyle choices remain a powerful foundation for long-term heart health. Regular cardiovascular exercise, balanced nutrition, adequate sleep and weight management can significantly delay or prevent disease progression. The goal, Dr. Habboush stresses, is not to wait for the heart to speak loudly through symptoms, but to act when it whispers.