PORTALJABAR, BANDUNG CITY - Many dangerous diseases don't show symptoms in the early stages. Therefore, regular health check-ups are crucial for early detection of illnesses before they develop into more serious conditions.

This was conveyed by Member of Commission IV of the Bandung City DPRD and doctor, Dr. dr. Agung Firmansyah Sumantri, Sp.PD., KHOM., MMRS., FINASIM, in the Sonata Talkshow in collaboration with PR FM entitled "Feeling Healthy Doesn't Necessarily Mean You're Healthy: Why Are Medical Check-Ups Important?" which was broadcast on Wednesday (3/6/2026).

According to Agung, people often assume they're healthy simply because they don't experience any symptoms. However, a number of chronic diseases, such as hypertension, diabetes, high cholesterol, and kidney problems, often develop without any obvious symptoms.

"There's a difference between having no symptoms and not having a disease. Many diseases don't cause symptoms in the early stages, so they're only discovered when the condition is more severe," he said.

He explained that hypertension, or high blood pressure, often doesn't cause symptoms even when blood pressure readings reach 160 to 170 mmHg. If left untreated, this condition can damage vital organs, especially the kidneys.

Besides hypertension, diabetes is also a disease that requires careful attention. High blood sugar levels are often not noticed by sufferers. Even in prediabetes, a person may not experience any symptoms even though the risk of the disease has already begun to increase.

"If detected early, lifestyle changes such as maintaining a healthy diet and exercising regularly can be made to prevent the disease from progressing further," he explained.

Agung also highlighted dyslipidemia, or high cholesterol levels, which can lead to fatty deposits in the blood vessels. In the long term, this condition increases the risk of coronary heart disease and stroke.

Not only metabolic diseases, but several cancers are also considered silent killers because they often show no signs in the early stages. In women, breast and cervical cancers are diseases that require special attention. In men, prostate and lung cancers are among those to be wary of.

According to him, one reason people are reluctant to undergo medical check-ups is fear of knowing the results. Some also believe they are still healthy and therefore consider a health check-up unnecessary.

"In fact, by detecting the disease early, treatment can be carried out more quickly and the results are usually better," he said.

Besides psychological factors, the cost of the examination is also often a consideration. However, Agung urges the public to take advantage of the basic health services available at community health centers.

In Bandung City, he said, the public can participate in the Free Health Check (CKG) program available at primary healthcare facilities. Through this program, residents will undergo initial screening to identify disease risk factors. If certain indications are found, patients can be referred for further examination.

Regarding the ideal age for health check-ups, Agung suggests that people start building awareness from young adulthood.

For those in their 20s, basic screenings such as body mass index, blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and lipid profiles should be performed every three years. Once you reach your 30s, screenings can be supplemented with evaluations of kidney function, liver function, and cardiovascular disease risk.

Meanwhile, for those aged 40 and above, annual health check-ups are recommended. These include an EKG (Electrocardial Infarction), screening for heart disease and stroke, eye exams, and early detection of various types of cancer.

"As we get older, more aspects of our health need to be checked. The goal isn't to scare people, but rather to detect diseases early and treat them appropriately," he concluded.

Through this education, it is hoped that the public will increasingly understand that feeling healthy doesn't necessarily mean being truly healthy. Regular health check-ups are a crucial investment in maintaining quality of life and preventing future complications. (Bandung City Communications and Information Service/rka)