Experts flag rising heart attack deaths in India; link to lingering Covid 19 impact
PTC Web Desk: India has seen a sharp increase in deaths due to heart attacks in the past three years, a trend experts attribute to the enduring effects of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) reported a staggering 12.5% surge in heart attack cases in 2022 alone. The latest data on 'Accidental Deaths and Suicides in India' from the NCRB paints a bleak picture, revealing that 32,457 individuals lost their lives to heart attacks in 2022, a substantial increase from the 28,413 deaths recorded the previous year. This contributes to the overall rise in sudden deaths, reaching a concerning 56,450 in 2022, marking a 10.1% increase from 2021.
Sudden deaths, as defined by the NCRB, encompass unexpected and almost instantaneous fatalities from causes other than violence, such as heart attacks or brain hemorrhages.
Specifically concerning are the heart attack deaths, which initially decreased from 28,579 in 2020 to 28,413 in 2021, but then spiked to 32,457 in 2022. This data emphasises the pressing need to comprehend and address factors contributing to this alarming trend.
While acknowledging the pandemic's impact on heart health, healthcare experts stress the importance of heightened awareness, preventive measures, and routine health check-ups.
To mitigate the surge in sudden heart attack fatalities, prioritising fundamental measures is crucial - regular exercise (especially aerobic workouts with some weight training), reducing alcohol intake and smoking, and adopting a nutritious diet.
India faces a health crisis, necessitating unified efforts to promote heart-healthy lifestyles and ensure timely medical intervention to save lives.
- With inputs from agencies
