Coronary artery disease has overtaken infectious illnesses to become India’s leading cause of death, according to the latest Global Burden of Disease report published in The Lancet. The study found that ischaemic heart disease accounted for the highest age-standardized mortality rate in 2023, at 127.82 deaths per 100,000 people.
Once dominated by diarrhoeal and respiratory infections, India’s health profile has shifted sharply toward non-communicable diseases such as heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and stroke. Experts attribute the rise to urban lifestyles, poor diet, and reduced physical activity.
The report also shows overall life expectancy in India has risen from 58 years in 1990 to more than 71 years in 2023, reflecting advances in healthcare and living standards. Former WHO chief scientist Dr. Soumya Swaminathan said prevention and healthy aging must now be national priorities to reduce the growing burden of heart disease.