Mahajan Imaging & Labs has recorded an 85 per cent year-on-year rise in Calcium Scoring CT scans between 2024 and 2025, along with a 36 per cent increase in advanced cardiac imaging volumes. The reported surge reflects growing awareness around preventive cardiology and early cardiac risk assessment, particularly among younger individuals.
Against this backdrop, the diagnostic chain hosted a virtual conference titled “Young Hearts at Risk: The Case for Early Cardiac Screening”, where leading cardiology and imaging experts flagged a concerning shift in the age profile of cardiovascular disease in India. According to national data cited during the session, over 25 per cent of heart attacks in the country now occur in individuals below 40 years of age, while nearly 15–20 per cent of sudden cardiac arrests are reported among those under 50. Experts noted that Indians tend to develop coronary artery disease nearly a decade earlier than Western populations, driven by rising incidence of diabetes, hypertension, obesity, chronic stress, sedentary lifestyles and dyslipidemia.
The discussion featured Dr. Harsh Mahajan, Padma Shri awardee and Founder & Chairman of Mahajan Imaging & Labs; Dr. Praveen Chandra, Chairman, Interventional Cardiology at Medanta; and Dr. Shoma Mukerjee, Senior Consultant and Head of Department at the Dwarka unit of Mahajan Imaging & Labs.
Speaking at the conference, Dr. Praveen Chandra emphasised that in younger patients, coronary artery disease often presents first as an acute cardiac event, with significant arterial blockage already present by the time symptoms emerge. He highlighted the importance of early risk stratification through non-invasive tools such as CT Coronary Angiography, calcium scoring, stress imaging and biomarker assessment, noting that structured screening of high-risk individuals can significantly reduce long-term myocardial damage.
Dr. Harsh Mahajan attributed the 85 per cent increase in Calcium Scoring CT scans largely to heightened awareness of preventive healthcare. He stated that CT calcium scoring is a valuable predictor of future heart disease risk, even before symptoms appear. Stressing that cardiovascular disease is increasingly affecting younger age groups in India, he underscored the need to shift from opportunistic testing to protocol-driven early screening integrated into routine health evaluations. Advanced imaging modalities such as Calcium Scoring CT, CT Coronary Angiography and Cardiac MRI, he noted, enable early identification of plaque burden and vascular changes well before a major cardiac event.
Dr. Shoma Mukerjee added that a significant proportion of young individuals with underlying atherosclerotic disease remain asymptomatic. She advocated targeted screening for individuals with metabolic risk factors or a family history of heart disease, stating that early therapeutic intervention through medication and lifestyle modification can substantially improve long-term cardiovascular outcomes.
The webinar concluded with a call to integrate advanced cardiac diagnostics into preventive healthcare pathways, especially for high-risk groups. As per reports, Mahajan Imaging & Labs reiterated its commitment to strengthening early detection frameworks and expanding access to precision cardiac imaging to address the growing cardiovascular burden among young Indians.