Data References For Heart Disease Stats
📊 Cardiovascular Disease Statistics (India)
-
"30% of all deaths in India are from cardiovascular disease"
Understanding Cardiovascular Disease in India
Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) remain one of the most pressing public health concerns in India, with their prevalence steadily increasing over time. The World Health Organization (WHO) reported in 2016 that CVDs were responsible for 27% of all deaths in India. More recent research now places this figure at 30% or higher, indicating a growing national health burden.
Key Insights from Government and Epidemiological Data
1. Government Statistics (SRS 2019–21 Report):
The Sample Registration System (SRS) report titled "Causes of Death in India 2019–21", published by the Office of the Registrar General, outlines that 30.2% of all non-communicable disease-related deaths were due to cardiovascular conditions. A gender breakdown reveals that 32.0% of male deaths and 27.7% of female deaths were attributed to CVDs.
Source: Deccan Herald, citing the SRS Report 2019–21
Full Report: Civil Registration System (CRS) – MCCD 2021
2. WHO Profile for India (2016):
According to the WHO’s India country health profile from 2016, non-communicable diseases (NCDs) accounted for 63% of all deaths in India. Of these, 27% were due to cardiovascular diseases, providing a baseline to measure subsequent trends.
Source: WHO India – Cardiovascular Diseases
3. Epidemiological Research and Reviews:
A foundational review published in the journal Circulation by the American Heart Association (2016) noted that findings from three large-scale prospective Indian studies indicated a higher proportion of deaths attributable to CVDs — between 30% and 42%, depending on the cohort and region studied.
Source: American Heart Association Journals – Circulation
4. Recent Epidemiological Assessments (2024):
Newer analyses continue to underscore the rising impact of cardiovascular conditions. A comprehensive review titled "The Rising Burden of Cardiovascular Disease and Thrombosis in India: An Epidemiological Review" highlights growing morbidity and mortality across populations. It also references data from the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), which has reported an uptick in heart attack–related cases.
Source: PMC – The Rising Burden of Cardiovascular Disease in India
Source: Economic Times – Addressing the Silent Epidemic
-
"Heart attacks under 40 are no longer rare"
▸ Source: Indian Heart Journal, ICMR, NDTV Health reports
▸ Summary Article – Times of India
Heart Attacks Under 40: A Growing and Well-Documented Concern
The statement that “heart attacks under 40 are no longer rare” in India is firmly backed by a wide array of medical research, government data, and healthcare journalism. This emerging trend reflects a significant shift in the epidemiology of cardiovascular disease in the country — especially among younger adults.
Medical Literature and Institutional Research
1. Indian Heart Journal (IHJ)
As one of India’s foremost peer-reviewed cardiology publications, the Indian Heart Journal regularly features studies and reviews on the increasing incidence of cardiovascular diseases in younger age groups. While individual article titles may vary, the journal’s broader body of work highlights a rising prevalence of premature coronary artery disease and early-onset myocardial infarction in Indian populations.
To explore specific studies, search for terms like “myocardial infarction young India” or “premature coronary artery disease India” on IHJ’s archive.
These papers often examine changing risk profiles, lifestyle patterns, and genetic predispositions contributing to heart disease in adults under 40.
Example Link (Editorial/Perspective): Indian Heart Journal Archive
2. Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR)
India’s apex biomedical research body, the ICMR, has consistently reported a decline in the age of onset of heart disease across the country. Their studies serve as foundational sources for national policies on non-communicable diseases (NCDs), and frequently highlight that Indians develop heart disease up to a decade earlier than their Western counterparts.
Recent developments include:
A government-commissioned study investigating sudden deaths among individuals aged 18–45 years, where heart attack emerged as the most common cause.
Expert commentary from ICMR-affiliated scientists emphasizes the growing risk of early-onset lifestyle diseases, including CVD.
Source:
Press Information Bureau, Government of India (Published: July 2, 2025)
Additional Reference:
ETV Bharat (Published: July 8, 2025)
News Reports and Public Health Journalism
3. NDTV Health & NDTV Profit
NDTV’s health desk has regularly covered the growing concern around younger populations experiencing heart attacks. These stories bring clinical insight to the general public, featuring interviews with cardiologists, trends observed by hospitals, and national statistics.
Articles:
“The Increasing Risk of Heart Disease Among Indian Youth” (Published: February 20, 2025)
“Why Are Young Indians Getting Heart Attacks: Doctors Explain” (Published: July 3, 2025)
4. Times of India Reports and Blogs
The Times of India has published multiple summary pieces consolidating insights from healthcare professionals, epidemiologists, and policy makers. These reports help underscore the public visibility of the early-age heart disease trend, bringing further legitimacy to the concern.
Articles:
“Are Young Adults in India Facing an Unprecedented Heart Attack Epidemic?” (Published: February 10, 2025)
“Understanding the Alarming Rise of Heart Attacks in Young Indians” (Published: July 11, 2025)
Summary
This cross-section of clinical research, institutional studies, and expert-driven journalism consistently supports the conclusion that heart attacks in individuals under 40 are no longer rare in India. The trend is part of a broader public health shift — and reinforces the need for proactive cardiovascular care from an earlier age.
-
"Long COVID linked to silent heart damage"
▸ Source: Nature Medicine, 2022; JACC
▸ Read Study – Nature Medicine
Long COVID and Heart Health: Evidence Behind Silent Cardiovascular Risks
The claim that “Long COVID is linked to silent heart damage” is grounded in a growing body of research from some of the world’s most respected medical journals. Multiple large-scale studies have demonstrated that individuals recovering from COVID-19—regardless of the severity of their acute infection—may face ongoing cardiovascular risks, often without any obvious symptoms at first.
Scientific Evidence Supporting the Link
1. Nature Medicine (2022):
One of the most comprehensive studies on this topic was published in Nature Medicine in February 2022. Drawing on extensive national healthcare databases, researchers found that individuals who had recovered from COVID-19 were significantly more likely to develop a range of cardiovascular conditions within one year of infection. These included:
-
Arrhythmias
-
Ischemic and non-ischemic heart disease
-
Pericarditis and myocarditis
-
Heart failure
-
Thromboembolic events
Notably, elevated risk was observed even in those who were not hospitalized during their COVID-19 illness, pointing to the possibility of subclinical or "silent" heart damage.
Study: Long-term cardiovascular outcomes of COVID-19 by Al-Aly, Z. et al.
PubMed Abstract: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35132265/
Full Article (Nature): https://www.nature.com/articles/s41591-022-01689-3
(Access to full article may require a subscription)
2. JACC (Journal of the American College of Cardiology):
The JACC family of journals has contributed significant findings related to cardiovascular complications in Long COVID patients. Their publications cover both mechanisms and clinical outcomes, reinforcing the concept of post-viral heart involvement.
-
Meta-analysis on Cardiac Risk (2023):
A systematic review involving 5.8 million individuals concluded that those with Long COVID were 2.3 to 2.5 times more likely to develop heart-related complications. This study was highlighted in a 2023 press release by the American College of Cardiology. -
Study on Nonobstructive Myocardial Ischemia (2024):
A 2024 paper published in JACC: Cardiovascular Interventions focused on a subgroup of Long COVID patients experiencing new chest pain. It identified myocardial ischemia without artery blockage—a condition not easily detected without specialized cardiac evaluation—as a potential cause.Link: https://www.jacc.org/doi/10.1016/j.jcin.2024.01.072
Summary and Implications
These studies reinforce that Long COVID is more than a temporary respiratory illness—it has long-term implications for cardiovascular health. Silent or low-symptom heart damage may occur in many individuals, including those with initially mild COVID-19. Monitoring cardiac function post-infection, even in asymptomatic patients, is increasingly considered essential.
This scientific context validates CoreKardia’s emphasis on early prevention, proactive screening, and long-term cardiovascular support—particularly in a post-pandemic world.