BM Birla Heart Hospital, a unit of CK Birla Hospitals, has unveiled its latest cardiovascular health analysis, Beat by Beat 2025, highlighting India’s growing burden in the global heart disease landscape. The report reveals that nearly one in five heart attack deaths worldwide occurs in India, placing the country at the forefront of a deepening cardiac health emergency and pointing to persistent shortcomings in prevention, early detection, and sustained treatment.
Eastern India Identified as High-Risk Zone
The findings show that eastern India accounts for nearly 30 per cent of the nation’s cardiovascular disease (CVD) deaths, with almost 10 per cent of adults in the region affected. West Bengal, in particular, has recorded a higher prevalence of ischemic heart disease compared to the national average, making it one of the country’s most vulnerable states for cardiac conditions.
Delayed diagnosis, insufficient screening initiatives, and missed treatment opportunities within the critical “golden hour” following cardiac events continue to contribute to elevated mortality, especially in densely populated regions.
South and South-East Asia Emerging as Global CVD Hub
The report places India within a wider South and South-East Asian context, now recognised as the fastest-expanding hotspot for cardiovascular diseases worldwide. The region is witnessing heart conditions developing at younger ages, higher mortality from strokes, and greater fatality rates despite comparable prevalence levels.
Rapid urban growth, sedentary lifestyles, dietary changes, and unequal access to timely medical care are identified as major drivers behind these worrying trends.
Lifestyle Pressures Fueling Early-Onset Heart Disease
A key concern highlighted in the report is the increasing incidence of heart disease among younger adults aged 25 to 45 years. Modern lifestyle factors including chronic stress, excessive screen time, digital exhaustion, social isolation, and sleep disturbances are significantly raising cardiovascular risk.
Individuals experiencing social isolation face about a 15 per cent greater risk of coronary heart disease, while over 72 per cent of urban professionals reported ongoing digital fatigue in 2024. Prolonged exposure to screens, disrupted sleep cycles, and persistent psychological stress are now being linked to fluctuating blood pressure, stress-related arrhythmias, and early cardiac strain, signalling a shift in how heart disease manifests in India.
Technology Improving Survival Outcomes
The report also underscores how advancements in cardiac care technology are helping bridge survival gaps. Modern Cath Labs, minimally invasive procedures such as Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation (TAVI), and advanced imaging and navigation systems are enabling quicker diagnoses and safer interventions, particularly for high-risk or late-stage patients.
As cardiac cases become more complex, technology-driven healthcare infrastructure is emerging as a critical pillar in delivering efficient and scalable heart care.
Strengthening Preventive Cardiology
Concluding its analysis, Beat by Beat 2025 calls for a stronger focus on preventive cardiology, faster emergency response during the golden hour, and expanded cardiac infrastructure in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities, where diagnostic delays are more common.
With younger populations increasingly affected and certain regions bearing disproportionate risk, the report positions India as a central player in the global fight against cardiovascular disease rather than merely a contributor to the crisis.
