87 health tests, no follow-ups. But Rs 0 cost method could save Rs 5 lakh, suggests Delhi cardiologist

In an age of fancy health checkups, expensive tests, and thick lab reports, it’s easy to feel like you’re doing everything right—but Delhi-based cardiologist Dr Shailesh Singh warns that most people are missing the point entirely. True health isn’t about impressing others or accumulating test results; it’s about living long enough to see your children grow, enjoy your grandchildren, and avoid becoming a burden on your family. The simplest, zero-cost habits can prevent far costlier treatments down the line.

Dr Shailesh Singh emphasises that health should be approached with purpose, not performance. Many people think a routine checkup means visiting a fancy lab, completing dozens of tests, receiving a thick report, and filing it away without reading. They may feel responsible for a few months before repeating the process, yet no real understanding, action, or follow-up occurs. He calls this “expensive theatre” rather than genuine healthcare.

Prevention, he stresses, is straightforward and affordable. Walking costs nothing, reducing rice intake costs nothing, an annual lipid panel costs about Rs 800, and monthly blood pressure medication is around ₹300. In contrast, ignoring prevention can lead to staggering expenses: angioplasty costs Rs 3–5 lakh, bypass surgery ₹4–8 lakh, ICU stays ₹50,000 per day, plus lost income and irreplaceable years with family.




Dr Singh’s advice is simple: prioritise prevention willingly. Walk, eat mindfully, monitor your health, and take prescribed medicines consistently. These small, zero-cost actions protect your heart, extend your life, and save both money and priceless time with loved ones. Prevention is not expensive; treatment is.

Importance of walking

Recently, Apollo doctor, Dr Sudhir Kumar, stressed that prolonged rest can stiffen joints, weaken muscles, and increase discomfort. However, movement, like walking, keeps cartilage nourished, strengthens quads and glutes, and prevents joints from becoming “rusty.” Low-impact exercises like swimming or cycling and targeted strength training help manage pain safely.


As per the Mayo Clinic daily brisk walking boosts heart health, strengthens muscles and bones, improves mood and sleep, supports immunity, and reduces stress. Interval walking can enhance these benefits while saving time.