India’s increasing burden of heart disease is evident not just in the alarming number of heart attacks among young celebrities in recent years, but also in the sharp rise in cardiac drug sales across the country.
Cardiac Drugs Outpace All Other Categories
According to a June 2025 report by Pharmarack, which tracks sales data from 17 leading pharmaceutical companies covering over half of the Indian pharma market, cardiac drug sales jumped from ₹1,761 crore in June 2021 to ₹2,645 crore by June 2025. This translates to a steady annual growth rate of 10.7%. Cardiac medications—including lipid-lowering drugs, heart failure treatments, and anti-anginal medicines—now outsell drugs used for gastrointestinal issues, infections, or diabetes.
Increased Awareness and Changing Guidelines Drive Demand
Experts attribute this rise to multiple factors, including better public awareness, improved access to healthcare, and evolving medical guidelines.
“There is no doubt that cardiovascular diseases are rising. At the same time, more people now have access to diagnostic tools and medical care,” said Dr Ajay Mahajan, head of cardiology at KEM Hospital.
India’s official health data reinforces this trend. Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) now account for 63% of all deaths in the country, with cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) contributing to 27% of these deaths.
Hypertension Thresholds Have Been Lowered
Dr Suraj Nagre, associate professor at JJ Hospital’s cardiovascular and thoracic surgery department, pointed to revised hypertension criteria as another factor driving prescriptions.
“Earlier, blood pressure readings of 130-140 were considered hypertensive. Now, any reading above 120 qualifies, pushing more people into the treatment bracket,” he explained.
Diverse Heart Medications Work in Tandem
As reported by TOI, cardiovascular prescriptions are no longer limited to lipid-lowering drugs. There has been a rise in medications targeting unstable heart rhythms, heart failure, and angina.
“These drugs often work together on interconnected disease pathways,” noted renowned cardiac surgeon Dr Ramakanta Panda. “For example, antihypertensives reduce blood pressure, statins lower cholesterol, and anti-anginals improve blood flow. They’re frequently prescribed as a combination.”
Lifestyle and Stress Remain Key Triggers
Commenting on the growing number of sudden cardiac arrest cases, especially among celebrities and fitness enthusiasts, KEM Hospital’s Dr Charan Lanjewar emphasized that most such incidents have multiple underlying factors.
“There’s rarely a single identifiable cause. Lifestyle, stress levels, and consumption patterns contribute significantly,” he said.
Aging Population Adds to Disease Load
Senior cardiologist Dr Akshay Mehta pointed out that longer lifespans have also led to a spike in heart disease cases. “As India’s aging population grows, heart disease is becoming more prevalent. Fortunately, we also have better diagnostic tools now, allowing for early detection and treatment,” he said.