When a father collapses during his morning walk, when a mother discovers diabetes only after complications arise, or when a young professional in his thirties suddenly falls victim to a heart attack, families are left reeling, asking the same question: Could this tragedy have been prevented?
Modern medical research increasingly answers: yes.
In this mission to prevent the preventable, Dr. Venkat, founder of CARE Research (Capital Area Research, USA), stands at the forefront. His clinical studies target conditions that have touched nearly every household: heart disease, obesity, diabetes, and high blood pressure. What makes his work remarkable is not only its scientific depth but also its human-centered focus: transforming research into solutions for ordinary people.
Dr.Venkatesh was born in Thoothukudi, Kathiresan Nadar, and Malligai Pushpam. Dr. Venkatesh has four siblings. His wife's name is Sugandhi, and they have two daughters. He earned his higher degree in Internal Medicine and Cardiology from Marshall University after completing his medical studies at Madras Medical College in Chennai.
In today's world, medicine is not just about advanced treatments it also involves the careful research of life-saving drugs, analyzing them through various sophisticated measurements, and ensuring patient safety by producing medicines without side effects. Achieving such excellence is no ordinary feat.
A Tamilian born in Tamil Nadu, Dr. Venkatesh Nadar, along with his medical research team and scientists, has accomplished this remarkable achievement on the global stage of medicine in the United States. The medical world owes deep gratitude not only to him but also to his supportive wife for standing by him in this noble endeavor.
As a Tamil-origin physician-researcher based in the United States, Dr. Venkat bridges cultures and continents, bringing global innovation to local communities while carrying forward a deep sense of responsibility for social betterment
The Global Urgency of Preventive Research
Health challenges today are both widespread and accelerating. Urban lifestyles have shifted diets toward processed foods, physical activity has declined, and stress levels continue to rise. Environmental pollution, adulterated food, and psychological burdens only worsen the crisis.
• India has the world's largest diabetic population.
• One in three adults globally battles high blood pressure.
• Obesity affects not only adults but also youth and even children, altering the health landscape for future generations.
• In the United States, heart disease continues as the leading cause of death, responsible for one in five fatalities.
These are not just numbers—they translate into hospital bills that break families, dreams cut short, and generations living in fear of sudden illness.
Dr. Venkat's research aims to shift this narrative: from reactive treatment to proactive prevention. His vision is to move society from hospitals and emergency rooms to a future where diseases are intercepted before they strike.
Major Research Initiatives at CARE
1. A New Pill for Cholesterol - AZD0780
For decades, cholesterol management relied heavily on statins. While statins lower LDL (“bad” cholesterol) for many, they fail in some cases and often cause side effects such as muscle pain.
• The new frontier: CARE is testing AZD0780, an oral PCSK9 inhibitor.
• Plain meaning: PCSK9 is a protein that prevents the body from removing bad cholesterol. Blocking it helps reduce LDL dramatically.
• Why it matters: Existing PCSK9 drugs are injection-based. A pill form will be cheaper, easier to use, and more acceptable.
• Impact: For patients with genetically high cholesterol—even when statins fail—this could mean the difference between a heart attack at 50 and healthy longevity into their seventies
This trial reflects the power of medical perseverance: years of research, safety checks, and rigorous trials before reaching patients' hands.
2. Battling the Complex Challenge of Obesity - Maridebart Cafraglutide
Obesity has long been misunderstood as laziness or overeating. Today, science recognizes it as a complex disease involving metabolic signals, hormonal regulation, and brain chemistry.
• The trial: CARE is testing Maridebart Cafraglutide, designed to regulate appetite and optimize energy use.
• Why it matters: Obesity fuels multiple health crises: diabetes, arthritis, infertility, depression, and heart disease.
• Impact: A safe, effective drug could provide relief for millions who suffer despite dieting and exercising.
Consider a mother who has spent years battling weight gain, trying every diet, only to feel defeated. With this drug, she could reclaim her health, lower her diabetes risk, and live more fully with her children.
This research also dismantles social stigma: obesity is not a moral failing but a medical condition that deserves treatment and empathy.
3. Silent Killers - Early Detection of Heart Disease
One of CARE's most groundbreaking efforts is the Transform Trial, which utilizes Coronary CT Angiography (CCTA) scans combined with advanced software to detect plaque buildup long before symptoms arise.
• The problem today: Most people discover heart disease only after an emergency—by then, it may be too late.
• The new approach: A non-invasive scan can reveal hidden blockages in otherwise “healthy” patients.
• Practical example: A 40-year-old executive with a family history undergoes a scan. Early plaque is found. Lifestyle changes and medication dramatically reduce his risk of sudden death
This embodies the principle: “Prevention is the highest form of wisdom.”
4. Looking Beyond Cholesterol - Lipoprotein (a) and Triglycerides
Traditional cholesterol tests only tell part of the story. Dr. Venkat highlights hidden risk factors:
• Lipoprotein (a): A genetic marker that raises heart risk, even when LDL is normal.
• Triglycerides: A fat linked to heart disease and pancreatitis.
CARE is investigating how to detect and manage these more effectively. The takeaway is profound: a “normal cholesterol” report should not lull families into a false sense of security.
5. Heart Failure - Restoring Life to the Weakened Heart
Heart failure doesn't mean the heart has stopped—it means the heart is too weak to pump blood effectively. Patients live with exhaustion, breathlessness, and repeated hospital visits.
• CARE's trial: BalanceD-HF is testing therapies to strengthen heart function and improve quality of life.
• Impact on families: Less time in hospitals, fewer medical bills, and restored dignity for patients.
Imagine an elderly grandfather unable to walk to his temple because of fatigue. A successful therapy could restore not just his health but also his independence.
The Social Dimension of Research
Dr. Venkat's work is not just clinical—it carries a deep social conscience. His Tamil heritage grounds his commitment to community upliftment. In an era where modern lifestyles and unhealthy environments threaten entire generations, his contributions show how one individual's vision can uplift whole societies.
The Tamil analysis of his work rightly emphasizes:
• New medicines are not produced overnight—they undergo strict quality control, ethical trials, and legal scrutiny (such as FDA approval).
• Even slight negligence in medical research can lead not only to loss of life but also to legal and social consequences in advanced countries like the U.S.
• Behind every breakthrough are untold hours of patience, persistence, and sacrifice by researchers
This perspective reminds us that medical research is not merely science—it is an act of social service and human compassion.
The Human Stories Behind the Science
Every trial represents real people:
• A man with dangerously high cholesterol finally sees numbers improve.
• A woman battling obesity for decades gains confidence and health.
• A symptom-free young father learns of early heart disease and avoids tragedy.
These transformations remind us that medical science is not about charts and labs but about protecting families, extending lives, and restoring hope.
Clinical Trials - A Bridge Between People and Progress
There are misconceptions that clinical trials are risky or reserved for the wealthy. In truth:
• Accessibility: Medicines, scans, and follow-ups are often free.
• Cutting-edge care: Participants gain access to advanced therapies years before general release.
• Social contribution: By joining, patients help future generations—including their own children.
For countries like India, where healthcare affordability is a barrier, participation in ethical, well-regulated clinical trials could transform public health
What Families Can Do Today
Even as we await breakthroughs, everyday steps matter:
• Regularly monitor blood pressure, sugar, cholesterol, triglycerides, and weight.
• If there is a family history of heart disease, ask for a Lipoprotein (a) test.
• Adopt preventive habits: walk daily, quit smoking, and eat balanced meals.
• Stay updated about clinical research—it often delivers treatments sooner than expected.
• Where possible, consider participating in clinical trials.
Conclusion - Hope Through Research
In today's world, sudden illness and expensive hospital bills can devastate families. But research offers hope:
• A pill that lowers cholesterol more effectively.
• A therapy that treats obesity with dignity.
• A scan that detects heart disease silently, before disaster strikes.
• A treatment that restores strength to a failing heart.
Dr. Venkat's work embodies this hope. His efforts bridge the gap between scientific innovation and social impact, reminding us that medicine exists not for its own sake, but for the benefit of people, families, and communities.
As a Tamil researcher working on the global stage, his contribution will be remembered not only in journals and hospitals but also in the countless households where lives were saved, futures secured, and dignity restored.
In the end, his story answers the very question families ask in moments of crisis: Could this have been prevented? Thanks to research like his, the answer may increasingly be yes.
- Our Overseas Correspondents Mourougavelou Vaithianathan and Sudarshan