Hypertension: The most important non communicable disease risk factor in India

Abstract

Non-communicable diseases are important causes of mortality and morbidity in India. Data from the Registrar General of India, World Health Organization and Global Burden of Disease (GBD) Study have reported that cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are the most important causes of death and disability. Age-adjusted mortality from these conditions has increased by 31% in last 25 years. Case-control studies have reported that hypertension is most important risk factor for CVD in India. GBD Study has estimated that hypertension led to 1.6 million deaths and 33.9 million disability-adjusted life years in 2015 and is most important cause of disease burden in India. Intensive public health effort is required to increase its awareness, treatment and control. UN Sustainable Development Goals highlight the importance of high rates of hypertension control for achieving target of 1/3 reduction in non-communicable disease mortality by 2030. It is estimated that better hypertension control can prevent 400-500,000 premature deaths in India.

Keywords: Cardiovascular disease; Global burden of disease study; Hypertension; India; Non-Communicable disease.

Fig. 1

Change in proportionate mortality form the top 5 causes of deaths in India according to Registrar General of India reports in years 2001–03 and 2010–13.

Fig. 2

Increasing proportionate mortality from cardiovascular diseases in India. Data are from Global Burden of Disease (GBD) Study 2015.

Fig. 3

Trends in age-adjusted mortality rates/100,000 from cardiovascular disease, ischemic heart disease and stroke in men, women and overall from 1990 to 2015 in India. Global Burden of Disease Study.

Fig. 4

Global Burden of Disease Study 2015 estimates for risk factors causing largest burden in India in terms of mortality (absolute numbers) and disability adjusted life years (DALYs) (numbers).