Heart disease begins in adolescence, not old age: AKU study reveals

Heart disease in Pakistan often thought of as an older adult problem actually begins in adolescence and young adulthood, according to groundbreaking findings from a large-scale study led by Aga Khan University (AKU). The Lifecard study reveals that early risk factors for heart, kidney, and metabolic conditions are already present in youth, highlighting the urgent need for preventive strategies. By shifting attention from late-stage illness to early risk detection, the study reframes Pakistan’s heart health challenge as an opportunity to act early and improve outcomes for the next generation.