Health is the engine: Expert’s message on preventive care

KUWAIT: Preventive care, not waiting until illness strikes, was the central theme of a lecture delivered by Dr Darar Al-Khdair, consultant of internal medicine, cardiology & advanced interventional catheterization, at Volvo Studio in Kuwait City on Thursday. Drawing parallels between the human body and a car, Dr Al-Khdair explained that just as an engine powers a vehicle, the heart drives the body, with blood serving as its fuel. And like a car that requires regular servicing, the body too needs constant checkups and maintenance.

He highlighted several misconceptions about heart health. Many people assume walking alone is sufficient, but he stressed that “walking is good, but not enough. Exercise must be done in the right training zone based on heart rate—typically 120 to 140 for young adults—and should include both aerobic and resistance training.” He recommended using smart devices such as Fitbit to track heart rate and ensure exercise is performed correctly, advising people to have aerobic training at least 30 minutes a day.

Dr Darar Al-Khdair

Nutrition was another focus of his talk. Dr Al-Khdair warned that “white wheat can be worse than sugar.” He suggested healthier alternatives such as sourdough bread, which digests more slowly thanks to natural bacteria and fermentation. He added that overconsumption of sugar remains one of the greatest health threats: “White sugar is even worse than nicotine,” he noted.

When asked which factor matters most—diet, sleep, or exercise—he answered without hesitation: “Movement comes first. Exercise not only strengthens the heart, it regulates sleep, improves appetite, and enhances social interaction. Once you move right, everything else follows.” Dr Al-Khdair closed by urging participants not to wait for symptoms to appear, since cardiovascular and metabolic diseases often develop silently. “Regular checkups, balanced nutrition, sufficient sleep, and proper training are the best safeguards against sudden breakdowns—just as you wouldn’t ignore your car until it stalls,” he said.

Mishal Al-Safran, Vice Chairman of Volvo BNK Automotive & Motion Group, reflected on the shared philosophy of medicine and engineering. “Even in Volvo, we consult doctors in designing our cars—orthopedic specialists for our seats, and ophthalmologists for windshield design to reduce driver fatigue,” he explained. He thanked Dr Al-Khdair for delivering a timely lecture, adding: “Just as our cars are built with safety and efficiency in mind, our bodies also need continuous care and attention.”