Somewhere along the way, we started believing that health has a “look”
Flat stomach? Healthy. Glowing skin? Must be doing great. Visible abs? Definitely fit. Social media made this worse. We constantly see filtered bodies, gym selfies, transformation reels, and it creates this idea that if you look lean, you’re automatically healthy. But that’s not how the body works.
A lot of health issues are silent, believes Dr. Naveen Bhamri, Vice Chairman & HOD, Cardiology, Max Super Speciality Hospital Shalimar Bagh as he shares why appearance is not a health report card.
Can someone who looks lean or muscular still have high cholesterol or blocked arteries?
Dr. Naveen Bhamri: Yes, people who look lean or muscular still have high cholesterol or blocked arteries. We regularly see people who look lean, muscular, and active but still have high cholesterol or early plaque build-up.
How common is 'normal weight but high risk' in your clinical practice?
Dr. Naveen Bhamri: It’s more common than people realize. A significant number of patients with normal BMI come in with high cholesterol, high blood pressure, or early signs of heart disease. This is especially true in urban populations where stress, long work hours, irregular meals, and poor sleep quietly increase risk, even in people who look healthy.
Are there specific cholesterol patterns you see in gym-going or athletic patients? Can extreme dieting or high-protein diets negatively impact heart health?
Dr. Naveen Bhamri: Yes, in several cases we see patterns like high LDL (bad cholesterol) or low HDL (good cholesterol), even when the patient has a regular workout routine. Extreme high-protein or high-fat diets, especially those rich in red meat, butter, cheese, or processed supplements, can also raise cholesterol levels. Very restrictive dieting can also affect metabolism and heart health if not balanced properly.
Are young, fitness-focused individuals ignoring routine health screenings because they 'look fine'?
Dr. Naveen Bhamri: Unfortunately, yes. Many young and fit people skip basic health checks because they feel healthy and look fit. Heart disease can develop silently for years, and by the time symptoms appear, the problem may already be advanced.
What are the early warning signs of heart trouble that even fit people should not ignore?
Dr. Naveen Bhamri: Sometimes your body drops hints before something serious happens. You might notice you’re getting out of breath doing things that never bothered you before. Or there’s this weird tightness or heaviness in your chest that doesn’t feel normal. Maybe you’re tired all the time and can’t explain why. Feeling lightheaded? Heart racing for no clear reason? Even pain that spreads to your jaw or left arm can be a warning sign. And here’s a big one—if your usual workout suddenly feels way harder than it should, don’t brush it off. Your body could be trying to tell you something.
How misleading is BMI when it comes to assessing heart disease risk? What lifestyle habits among urban, gym-going populations are quietly increasing cardiac risk?
Dr. Naveen Bhamri: BMI is a basic screening tool, but it doesn’t show body fat distribution, cholesterol levels, or artery health. Someone can have a 'normal' BMI but still have high visceral fat, insulin resistance, or unhealthy cholesterol. Common urban habits like late nights, high caffeine intake, poor sleep, stress, smoking, alcohol, frequent eating out, and reliance on protein shakes or processed foods can quietly increase heart risk.
If you had to give one message to people who equate six-pack abs with perfect health, what would it be?
Dr. Naveen Bhamri: A six-pack shows muscle definition not artery health. True fitness includes healthy cholesterol, normal blood pressure, good sugar levels, quality sleep, stress control, and regular health check-ups. You can look great on the outside and still have silent heart disease on the inside. Real health is what your reports show, not just what the mirror shows.
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