Multimorbidity Increases Heart Disease Risk Among Indians Over 45

Strategic Insights -

A new study from the International Institute for Population Sciences (IIPS) reveals that the prevalence of multimorbidity among Indians over 45 years of age could be increasing the risk of heart diseases. The study analyzed data from the Longitudinal Ageing Study in India (LASI) and found that one in five Indians over the age of 45 years had at least two chronic diseases, while half of the country's population over 45 suffers from more than one chronic disease.

Key Takeaways:

  • The risk of heart disease is highest for older Indians, especially those over 85 years of age from lower socioeconomic strata.
  • The longer the multimorbidity, the higher the risk of heart disease.
  • The prevalence of multimorbidity among Indians over 45 years of age is increasing the risk of heart diseases.
  • Hypertension is the most prevalent condition, affecting 26.72% of older adults, followed by eye and gastrointestinal conditions.
  • The coexistence of hypertension and chronic lung disease is a major factor associated with cardiovascular disease.
  • People from better economic backgrounds have better access to doctors and medicines, reducing the risk of heart diseases.
  • The severity of multimorbidity is worse among the poor, who may not know about their comorbidities and consider symptoms as a part of ageing.
  • 60% of people suffering from more than one disease for more than 30 months are at a high risk of developing heart-related complications.
  • 20% of people from poor or middle-class groups suffering from hypertension for less than a year may be at risk of developing heart disease.

Statistics:

  • 282 deaths per 100,000 population in India due to cardiovascular diseases (as against the global figure of 233 deaths per 100,000).
  • 60% of people suffering from more than one disease for more than 30 months are at a high risk of developing heart-related complications.
  • 20% of people from poor or middle-class groups suffering from hypertension for less than a year may be at risk of developing heart disease.
  • 1% of Indians over 45 years of age have eight comorbidities.
  • 60% of India's population over the age of 45 suffers from more than one chronic disease.

Sources:

  • "Multimorbidity increasing heart disease risk in India" (Nature) (no date mentioned)
  • Longitudinal Ageing Study in India (LASI) (no date mentioned)
  • International Institute for Population Sciences (IIPS) (no date mentioned)