Cardiovascular disease deaths rise globally and in India

Global cardiovascular diseases accounted for approximately 19.8 million deaths in 2022, representing nearly one-third of all worldwide fatalities. Heart attacks and strokes were responsible for 85 percent of these deaths, according to World Health Organization data.

In India, the National Health Authority reported that heart attack deaths rose to 35,715 cases in 2023, a 10 percent increase from the previous year. The Cardiological Society of India noted a significant demographic shift, with half of all heart attack cases among men occurring before age 50, and a quarter occurring before age 40. In Gujarat, emergency cardiac calls increased by 55 percent in 2023.

Medical specialists suggest that rising acute cardiac events are linked to severe psychological stress, which can trigger adrenaline and cortisol surges that destabilize fatty deposits and cause blood clots.

In response to these trends, Manipal Hospital Dhakuria hosted the Heart of Innovation Cardiac Summit to raise awareness ahead of World Heart Day. The event focused on patient recovery stories and addressed the potential for heart attacks to progress into heart failure, emphasizing the importance of recognizing warning signs and seeking prompt medical care.