AsianScientist (Jul. 18, 2018) – The risk of developing cardiovascular disease varies widely among India’s states, with substantial variation across socio-demographic groups. These findings have been published in PLOS Medicine.
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of mortality in India, yet evidence on the risk factors for CVD among India’s population is limited.
In this study, researchers analyzed two large household surveys carried out between 2012 and 2014, which sampled 797,540 adults aged 30 to 74 years across India. CVD risk was examined using established risk scores by state, rural or urban residence, age, sex, household wealth and education.
The study identified substantial variation in CVD risk both among states and across socio-demographic groups. The overall ten-year risk of a CVD event ranged from 13.2 percent to 19.5 percent.
District-level wealth and urbanization were both associated with higher CVD risk. Adults with higher household wealth tended to have a greater CVD risk. The study also determined that smoking was more prevalent in poorer households and rural areas, whereas body mass index, prevalence of high blood glucose and systolic blood pressure were positively associated with household wealth and urban location.
“[This] information will be essential for effective targeting of resources and interventions for prevention, screening, and treatment to those most at risk and most in need,” said the authors. “Such investments in targeted CVD care programs as well as relevant health policy measures are urgently needed—particularly in states with a high CVD risk,” said the researchers.
The article can be found at: Geldsetzer et al. (2018) Geographic and Sociodemographic Variation of Cardiovascular Disease Risk in India: a Cross-sectional Study of 797,540 Adults.
———
Source: PLOS; Photo: Pexels.
Disclaimer: This article does not necessarily reflect the views of AsianScientist or its staff.
