Heart disease begins in adolescence, not old age: AKU study reveals
KARACHI: 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.
The study, formally titled “Longitudinal study of cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic syndrome risk assessment among adolescents and young adults (10–45 years) in Pakistan (LIFECARD)”, is the first of its kind in the country to follow participants over time to track the emergence of cardiovascular and metabolic risks.
Nationwide, longitudinal tracking
Participant enrolment started in November 2024 at a peri-urban Karachi site, with nearly 2,000 adolescents and adults already recruited. A second site in Matiari began enrolment in December 2025, extending the study’s reach to rural populations. Full recruitment is expected by the third quarter of 2026.
By following adolescents aged 10–20 and adults aged 21–45 for at least ten years, researchers aim to understand how early lifestyle, environmental, and genetic factors interact to elevate disease risk.
Integrated approach to health risks
Unlike previous studies that examine heart disease or kidney problems in isolation, LIFECARD investigates how these conditions overlap as cardiovascular kidney metabolic syndrome, providing a more comprehensive understanding of disease progression in Pakistan’s young population.
Early prevention and policy impact
The research also examines underexplored areas such as early artery damage via ultrasound, air pollution exposure, mental health impacts, pregnancy-related risks, and genetic-environment interactions. According to Dr. Salim S. Virani, principal investigator, the goal is not just to document risk but to identify interventions that can prevent disease before it fully develops.
People also read: Stem cell research at AKU signals a new era for medicine in Pakistan
Findings from LIFECARD are expected to guide early screening programs, age-specific clinical assessments, community prevention strategies, and public health policies—particularly those addressing lifestyle, environmental, and urban planning factors that contribute to early disease.
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.
Stay informed, stay ahead!
CLICK HERE TO JOIN Medical News Pakistan on WhatsApp for latest stories, expert tips, health updates, and the medical research straight to your phone.