Burden of cardiovascular diseases in women and reduction strategies in India

Abstract

Women in India bear an unequal burden of diseases. Coupled with high maternal deaths, and higher deaths than men due to HIV/AIDS and TB is the recent upsurge in female deaths due to non-communicable diseases (NCDs). In 2015, NCDs accounted for 2.7 million women’s deaths in India, of which 1.1 million were due to cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). Gender specific data for all cardiovascular conditions and their risk factors are not routinely collected. With only 38% of the share of medically certified deaths collected by the Office of Registrar General in India, the exact burden of disease in women remains far from clear. This review provides the unique aspects of cardiovascular health and disease in women. It presents gaps in the knowledge base regarding all aspects of CVDs in women and discusses issues surrounding women’s access to healthcare in India. A life course approach, originally advocated by Vedic culture, in shifting the trajectory from one of disease focus to healthy adults is advocated. We believe that targeting women’s cardiovascular health in India is essential to halt the CVD epidemic as it may not only improve their health but also of their families given their prime role in provision of nutrients to their family and inculcating other healthy lifetime habits.