25 July 2025

‘Think different’ and health 

Carlos Van Mieghem

Category Opinie

Health is our most precious capital. It fuels vitality, passion, and participation—well beyond retirement. As a heart specialist trained and active in top clinics across the Netherlands and Belgium, I’ve stood at the heart of high-end medicine. But real impact? That lies in prevention. Today, we live longer than ever—yet not necessarily better. The gap between lifespan and healthspan is real. And it’s time we change that.

What does this mean concretely?

We live about 30 years longer than a century ago—but many of those extra years come at a price. I see too often how people age into discomfort, burdened by chronic conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure, fertility or potency issues, joint and muscle pain… which often spiral into full-blown chronic disease: heart disease, cancer, dementia, Parkinson’s.

Thanks to modern medicine, people can now “live” decades with these illnesses—but let’s be honest: these aren’t vibrant years. They’re marked by physical decline, fear, dependence, mounting costs—and far too little joy, freedom or creativity. The silver lining? These conditions are rarely due to bad genes or bad luck. In most cases, they’re preventable—shaped by how we live and the environment we create.

My mission is to shift perspectives—empowering people to make smart, lasting choices that support a healthy, meaningful life and a healthier world.

Description of my practices

My practice is built on an uncompromising commitment to prevention. We harness the most advanced tools and strategies to stay ahead of disease—because prevention isn’t just wiser than cure, it’s more humane, more sustainable, and ultimately more effective. Yet when illness does strike, we act with precision. This practice maintains a strong curative arm, drawing on state-of-the-art diagnostics, targeted therapeutics, and tailored interventions. Through direct access to a trusted network of top-tier specialists—both nationally and abroad—we ensure every referral is fast, focused, and frictionless.

This level of care is only possible with the right people. I’m supported by a carefully selected multidisciplinary team: a dedicated nurse, a clinical dietitian, a performance coach, and a sharp administrative lead. Each brings deep expertise to the table, working in synergy to deliver not just medical service, but measurable transformation—for those who value health as their most strategic asset.

The Strategic Value of Health in Business

Companies are the pillars of a resilient economy—and their key people are the engine. Protecting that human capital requires more than reactive care; it demands a forward-looking preventive strategy. This practice offers precisely that: a tailored program to monitor and optimise the health of high-impact individuals. Should acute needs arise, immediate access to a trusted network of top-tier physicians ensures expert intervention without delay. In elite sport, optimal coaching is a given. The business world would do well to adopt the same mindset—because when a key figure drops out, the cost is not just personal, but structural.

This is a boutique practice by design—focused, intentional, and not open to all. Personalised prevention is not yet covered by health insurers, and we operate on the basis of an annual fee that includes your in-depth screening, strategic advice, and ongoing guidance. To broaden impact and stay true to our values, five percent of all consultations are reserved for individuals who cannot afford this care. In doing so, I hope to support not only those with access, but also those most at risk of being left behind.

Do you feel inspired by these ideas? Feel free to make an appointment, so we can get to know each other personally and I can assess your expectations.

Share