Yesterday, a classmate of mine in Bangalore — slim, a lifelong non-smoker, vegetarian — felt mild chest discomfort while out shopping with his wife. Just to be safe, he got it checked.
His ECG? Normal.
Stress test? Normal.
Last year’s annual checkup? All clear.


But one test led to another, and within 24 hours he was diagnosed with severely clogged coronary arteries. So severe, in fact, that stents weren’t an option. A triple bypass surgery was recommended. He’s undergoing it today after a second opinion confirmed the diagnosis.

It hit me like a ton of bricks.

We South Asians have a 4x higher risk of heart disease compared to other ethnicities — and it strikes us younger, more silently, and often without the classic warning signs. It’s not just the samosas and mithai. It’s genetic predisposition, chronic stress, visceral fat, and often… misplaced reassurance from routine health checkups.

Let’s be honest — the 56-tests-for-₹5000 packages flooding your WhatsApp are more marketing than medicine. They detect surface-level issues. They don’t uncover the silent killers lurking in your arteries.

One test that can?

CAC — Coronary Artery Calcium Score.
It’s a simple, non-invasive CT scan that detects calcium deposits in the coronary arteries — a strong predictor of hidden plaque buildup and future heart attacks.
It takes 15 minutes. No needles. No fasting.
And it could warn you before a heart attack.

If you’re a family business founder above 50, and under the double stress of managing the business and the family, don’t wait.

Harsh Chopra
Family Business Advisor & Coach
www.Partners4Growth.in