From comprehensive blood panels to whole-body scans and biological-age assessments, preventive health has become big business. But a longer list of tests does not necessarily mean better health. The real measure is whether the findings help prevent disease, guide treatment or improve outcomes.
YOUR HEART IS NOT A TEST PACKAGE
“Effective prevention is about making informed clinical decisions, not accumulating test reports,” says Dr Anuj Kapadiya, Director of Cath Lab and Senior Consultant – Cardiologist, AIG Hospitals.
“Cardiovascular disease can carry a heavy physical and financial burden, making early risk assessment essential. But prevention begins with understanding individual risk, not undergoing every available cardiac investigation,” he says adding, “BP, blood glucose or HbA1c, cholesterol levels, family history, smoking and physical activity help doctors assess cardiovascular risk. ECGs, echocardiograms, treadmill tests and CT coronary angiography should be selected according to symptoms, clinical findings and individual risk—not automatically included in every check-up.”
THE ESSENTIAL HEALTH TESTS
“More testing does not always mean better healthcare,” says Dr M. A. Muqsith Quadri, Senior Consultant, General Medicine, CARE Hospitals. “Comprehensive health packages can leave healthy people worrying about mildly abnormal results, sometimes triggering repeat tests, scans and consultations,” says. BP, diabetes and cholesterol checks are key starting points. Other tests should be guided by age, family history, symptoms and individual risk.
“Tumour-marker panels, whole-body scans and extensive hormone tests aren’t for everyone. Don’t choose a package for its 80 or 100 tests; choose tests relevant to your health.”
INSIDE THE LONGEVITY LAB
“The key question is whether screening reduces illness or deaths, not whether it finds something,” says Dr Anusha Bandaru, Senior Consultant Physician, Medicover Hospitals.
Advanced tests promise personalised insights, but not all improve care. HbA1c, lipid profiles, ApoB and kidney and liver tests can help when guided by individual risk. Biological-age scores, multi-cancer blood tests and whole-body MRIs for healthy people warrant caution, as evidence of long-term benefit remains limited. “Biological-age clocks are mainly research tools. There is little proof that improving your score improves your health,” she says.
Before testing, ask: Is it validated, what could the results mean, and can they guide effective treatment?
5QUESTIONS BEFORE YOU BUY
1 Why do I need this test?
2 Is it appropriate for my age and risk profile?
3 What happens if the result is abnormal?
4 Will it change my treatment or health advice?
5 Could it lead to further tests, procedures and expenses?
WHOLE-BODY MRI:
SHOULD EVERYONE GET ONE?
A 2025 systematic review in European Radiology, covering 9,024 asymptomatic participants across 10 studies, found a confirmed cancer detection rate of approximately 1.57%. However, evidence that routine whole-body MRI improves survival or long-term health outcomes remains limited, while incidental findings can trigger further tests. Finding cancer is not the same as proving screening saves lives.
“ECGs, echocardiograms and CT coronary angiography should be guided by symptoms, clinical findings and individual risk—not routinely included in every check-up.”
— DR ANUJ KAPADIYA, Aig hospitals
“Biological-age clocks show risk patterns across large groups, but there is little proof that improving your score improves your health.”
— DR ANUSHA BANDARU, Medicover hospitals
“People should not choose a health package simply because it offers 80 or 100 tests. What matters is whether those tests are relevant to them.”
— DR M. A. MUQSITH QUADRI, Care hospitals
Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: deccanchronicle.com
