Heart disease in India
Heart disease in India refers to the spectrum of cardiovascular diseases affecting the population of India. It has emerged as a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in the country, accounting for a significant and growing public health burden.[1] Cardiovascular diseases have surpassed infectious diseases as the primary cause of death in India, reflecting a major epidemiological transition over the past few decades.[2]
The prevalence of cardiovascular diseases in India has increased substantially. Studies indicate that cardiovascular diseases affect Indians at a younger age compared to populations in high-income countries, often occurring 5-10 years earlier and frequently striking during an individual's most productive years.[3] The burden of these diseases is no longer confined to urban areas or affluent sections of society; there is a growing incidence in rural areas and among lower socioeconomic groups, although regional variations exist across different states.[4]
Several risk factors contribute to the high burden of heart disease in India. These include traditional factors such as hypertension, diabetes mellitus (which has a high prevalence in India), dyslipidemia (abnormal cholesterol levels), tobacco use (both smoking and smokeless tobacco), unhealthy diets characterized by high intake of salt, sugar, and unhealthy fats, low levels of physical activity, and rising rates of obesity.[5][6] Additionally, factors such as air pollution (both ambient and household), psychological stress, and a potential genetic predisposition among South Asians are increasingly recognized as significant contributors.[3]
Pop Culture
[edit]The Brown Heart, a documentary, streaming on Disney+ Hotstar is based on prevalence of heart disease among south Asians.[7]
See also
[edit]- Epidemiology of cardiovascular disease
- Global Burden of Disease Study
- Healthcare in India
- Risk factors for cardiovascular disease
- Indian Heart Association
References
[edit]- ^ Prabhakaran, Dorairaj; Jeemon, Panniyammakal; Sharma, Meenakshi; Roth, Gregory A.; Johnson, Catherine; Harikrishnan, Sivadasanpillai; Gupta, Rajeev; Pandian, Jeyaraj D.; Naik, Nitish; Roy, Ambuj; Dhaliwal, R. S.; Xavier, Denis; Kumar, Raman K.; Tandon, Nikhil; Mathur, Prashant (1 December 2018). "The changing patterns of cardiovascular diseases and their risk factors in the states of India: the Global Burden of Disease Study 1990–2016". The Lancet Global Health. 6 (12): e1339 – e1351. doi:10.1016/S2214-109X(18)30407-8. ISSN 2214-109X. PMC 6227386. PMID 30219317.
- ^ "Noncommunicable diseases country profiles 2022 - India" (PDF). World Health Organization. 2022. Retrieved 27 October 2023.
- ^ a b Prabhakaran, D; Jeemon, P; Roy, A (19 April 2016). "Cardiovascular Diseases in India: Current Epidemiology and Future Directions". Circulation. 133 (16): 1605–1620. doi:10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.114.008729. PMID 27142605.
- ^ Prabhakaran, Dorairaj; et al. (December 2018). "The changing patterns of cardiovascular diseases and their risk factors in the states of India: the Global Burden of Disease Study 1990–2016". The Lancet Global Health. 6 (12): e1339 – e1351. doi:10.1016/S2214-109X(18)30407-8. PMC 6202626. PMID 30219323.
- ^ "Report of the ICMR Task Force: Current Status of Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) Prevention and Control in India" (PDF). Indian Council of Medical Research. 2020. Retrieved 27 October 2023.
- ^ "Noncommunicable diseases India 2018 country profile". www.who.int. Retrieved 7 May 2025.
- ^ Author, The (9 April 2025). "The Brown Heart Tells The Story Of The South Asian Heart Health Crisis". IndiaWest Journal News. Retrieved 7 May 2025.
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