Heart disease has been one of the leading causes of death worldwide over the last five years. In India, cardiovascular diseases (CVD) account for about 24.8% of all deaths in the country.

According to the latest data from the European Society of Cardiology (ESC), although mortality rates are declining, the decline is much slower in middle-income countries than in high-income countries.

According to the findings published in the European Heart Journal, heart disease remains the leading cause of death in the 55 countries studied, with more than 3 million deaths per year, equivalent to around 8,500 deaths per day.

This accounts for 37.4% of all annual deaths. Data shows that middle-income countries have age-standardised mortality rates (ASMR) at least 2.5 times higher than high-income countries.

Between 1990 and 2021, death rates from heart disease declined by more than 50% in high-income countries but by less than 12% in middle-income countries.

Key findings of the study

Death rates are higher in middle-income countries

In middle-income countries, the rate of deaths from heart disease is 46% in men and 53% in women, whereas in high-income countries it is 30% in men and 34% in women.

Loss of potential years of life

Estimated age-standardised potential life loss is three times higher in middle-income countries than in high-income countries.

risk

About 25.4% of people aged 15 years and above use tobacco products, while in middle-income countries this rate is as high as 40.9% among men. In middle-income countries, hypertension affects more than 40% of men and women, while in high-income countries this rate affects less than 30% of women and 40% of men.

The prevalence of diabetes is higher in middle-income countries (7.7%) than in high-income countries (6.0%).

Professor Adam Timmis, lead author of the report, highlighted the need for effective strategies and disparities between middle- and high-income countries, particularly in Europe, where the study was focused.

These disparities are likely due to varying environmental, socioeconomic, and clinical risk factors.

The report suggests that disparities in treatment drive differences in CVD mortality.

Middle-income countries have fewer resources, fewer specialists, and lower rates of essential diagnostic and therapeutic procedures compared to high-income countries.

For example, the number of cardiologists per million inhabitants in high-income countries is twice that of middle-income countries in Europe.

In addition, middle-income countries were found to have lower rates of percutaneous coronary intervention, transcatheter aortic valve implantation, and pacemaker implantation than high-income countries.

It is estimated that CVD costs the EU economy 282 billion euros (€26.38 trillion) each year.

The incidence of heart attacks is rising among young people in India. Although genetics play a role, lifestyle factors are also a major reason for this trend.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), heart and cardiovascular diseases claim the lives of approximately 17.9 million people each year.

Experts recommend starting screening as early as the age of 18 and getting a lipid profile test to assess the risk of heart disease and stroke.