Cardiovascular diseases and ageing in India: A propensity score matching analysis of the effects of various risk factors

Abstract

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are one of the major causes of mortality and morbidity worldwide, with a significant burden, especially on older adults. This analysis aims to estimate the exclusive effects of various risk factors of CVDs among 59,073 older adults aged 45 years and above in India. Using data from wave 1 of the Longitudinal Ageing Study in India (LASI), the exposure effects of various risk factors on CVDs are estimated through propensity score matching. This analysis is further extended to different components of CVDs, such as hypertension, heart disease, and stroke. Results indicate that risk factors groups such as environmental, behavioral, physiological, and genetic risk factors have a positive and significant impact on CVDs. In the case of independent risk factor effects, diabetes has the highest effect on CVDs, followed by overweight, cholesterol, family history, alcohol consumption, and depression. We conclude that physiological risk factors among older adults are more severe than other factors.