One in Three Deaths in India Caused by Heart Disease

New Delhi: Heart disease is still at the top of the list of causes of death in India. According to the most recent Sample Registration Survey (SRS) update from the Registrar General of India, cardiovascular disease accounts for 31% of all deaths in India, the highest prevalence of single health burden in the country.

In Causes of Death: 2021-2023, the report describes heart disease, diabetes, and cancer as lumped together under now non-communicable diseases (NCD’s) which account for 56.7% of all deaths in India. The second group described was communicable, maternal, perinatal and nutritional conditions which contribute to 23.4% of all deaths.

Three primary categories of mortality

Cardiovascular disease has been consistently reported as the leading cause of mortality in India, even more so than any other fatal condition. The report records that:

• respiratory infections represent 9.3% of deaths

• cancers and neoplasms account for 6.4% of total deaths

• respiratory disease comprise 5.7%

Other notable causes include digestive disease (5.3%), fevers of unknown origin (4.9%), unintentional injuries (3.7%), diabetes mellitus (3.5%), and genitourinary disease (3.0%).

Younger ages versus older ages mortality patterns

The study reported that heart diseases most prevalent among individuals aged 30 years of older makes lifestyle related cardiovascular disease a public health challenge for populations. In contrast, the leading cause of death for populations between 15 and 29 years is suicide.

The category “ill-defined cause” represents, among people aged above 70 years, accounts for much of the “ill-defined cause” deaths of 10.5% of total deaths.

Injuries and risk initiation increase the burden of chronic disease

Injuries of every description account for 9.4% of deaths in India, and demographic researchers think this presents another significant area of public health focus. Some caution that the SRS sample of causes includes many direct sources and uses a consistent methodology, and while we may expect some misclassification of cause for this category, the data is clearly invaluable when analysing the mortality pattern in the country.

The immediate focus for India’s heart health

Public health experts think that cardiovascular diseases can be avoided by lifestyle behaviours, including regular exercise, a balanced diet, early screening, and management of risk factors including hypertension, diabetes, and obesity. Given that in India one out of every three deaths is due to heart illness, planning by public health policy will need to include prevention and a greater investment in campaigns to highlight preventive care.

Take home messages from the Report:

• Cardiovascular diseases constitute 31% of deaths in India.

• Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are responsible for more than 56% of total deaths.

• Respiratory infections, cancers, and diabetes remain significant causes.

• The leading cause of death in 15–29-year-olds is suicide.

• Lifestyle risk factors are affecting India’s rising burden of heart illness.

This report is a report that cardiovascular disease in India is not only a health problem, but is fast becoming a national emergency. With heart disease accounting for one in three deaths, immediate efforts are needed to enhance prevention, treatment, and awareness.