Heart Disease Now India’s Biggest Killer, Finds New Global Study, Experts Call for a Shift Toward Healthy Ageing

As per the new Global Burden of Disease (GBD) results, revealed during the World Health Summit in Berlin and printed in The Lancet, Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) including heart disease, stroke and diabetes are now causing almost two-thirds of global deaths. India closely follows this pattern, with ischaemic heart disease leading as the top cause of death in 2023.

How India’s Health Burden Has Shifted From Infections To NCDs

In 1990, diarrheal diseases were the largest cause of death in India with an Age-Standardised Mortality Rate (ASMR) of 300.53 deaths per lakh population. However, in 2023, and here's how the picture has changed:

• Ischaemic heart disease leads the pack with an ASMR of 127.82 per lakh
• Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a close second with 99.25 per lakh
• Stroke comes in at a close third with 92.88 per lakh
• Covid-19, the country's deadliest illness in 2021, has plummeted to 20th position.

The results come after input from more than 16,500 international researchers and employ one of the toughest epidemiological methods around, making it a reliable guide for policymakers and planners of healthcare.

Also Read: Expert Shares How Stress Directly Affects Your Diabetes And 5 Tips to Beat It

Fewer Deaths Overall, But New Health Risks On A Rise

Although the overall mortality rate has reduced over the last three decades, the cause of deaths has changed. Total ASMR in India was 1,513.05 per lakh in 1990 and decreased to 871.09 per lakh in 2023.

However, the research states that the majority of the deaths today are due to long-term, lifestyle-driven conditions as opposed to infection. This shift is an indication of both advances in infectious disease control and increases in sedentary lifestyles, poor diet, pollution exposure and chronic stress.

Study Claims Longer Lives But Are They Healthy?

Indian life expectancy has risen significantly over the last 33 years, states the research. Here’s how:

• Overall life expectancy increased from 58.46 years in 1990 to 71.56 years in 2023
• Men: From 58.12 to 70.24 years
• Women: From 58.91 to 72.96 years

Though Indians are living longer, experts caution that quality of life in those extra years is at risk owing to heart disease, respiratory disease and other NCDs.

Also Read: Is Diet Soda Worse Than Regular Soda? This Study Says So

Why Focus Needs to Shift to Healthy Ageing

Public health professionals suggest that India is at a juncture. With infections reducing and people living longer, the country requires an active response to ageing well. This involves:

• Early detection of heart disease, diabetes and stroke
• Lifestyle interventions focused on diet, physical activity and giving up smoking
• Improved primary healthcare systems for the management of chronic conditions
• Public policy solutions to pollution, city stress and care of older people

The report has a stark message that living longer is no longer the problem; healthy ageing is. While NCDs remain at the top mortality tables, the demand for national change towards preventive care and age-friendly policy has never been greater.