New Delhi: A poor lifestyle with lack of sleep, binge drinking, and high stress, coupled with genes, is playing a significant role in the rising heart-related deaths in India, said experts on Saturday.
India is seeing a worrying rise in heart-related deaths, even among people who appear fit and maintain a healthy lifestyle. Experts say not all of these cases are heart attacks. According to Dr. Rajiv Bhal, Director General of the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), about 20 percent of such deaths in the country are linked to genetic factors.
He also noted that binge drinking among the younger generation, silent hypertension, high stress, lack of proper sleep, and childhood obesity are adding to the crisis. Heavy workouts in gyms, particularly in people with faulty genes, may also increase the risk of sudden heart-related deaths. Dr. Bhal advised people to adopt healthier habits such as regular physical activity, quitting smoking, getting good sleep, eating a balanced diet, reducing stress, and practicing meditation.
Dr. J.P.S. Sawhney, Chairperson of Cardiology at a leading hospital in Delhi, explained that two major genetic causes are strongly linked to heart disease in India—familial hypercholesterolemia and elevated lipoprotein(a).
Familial hypercholesterolemia, which affects about one in 250 people worldwide, is responsible for nearly 15 percent of heart attacks in Indians below the age of 40. Since genetic testing is not widely available in the country, doctors rely on clinical methods for diagnosis and often recommend testing siblings and children of patients to catch the condition early. If detected, treatment can begin as early as two years of age to lower cholesterol levels and prevent premature heart attacks.
Elevated lipoprotein(a), on the other hand, is present in about 25 percent of the Indian population and is commonly found in young heart attack patients. Higher levels are directly linked to severe coronary artery disease. While there is no specific treatment available yet, ongoing global trials are expected to deliver targeted therapies by 2026. Until then, doctors recommend strict management of other health risks such as diabetes, hypertension, and high cholesterol in people with high lipoprotein(a).
