Early heart disease in Indians
First heart attacks come earlier, and known risk factors explain most of the gap.
In the INTERHEART study, the first heart attack came at an average age of 53.0 in South Asians and 58.8 in other countries.
Most of that gap was explained by higher levels of known risk factors at younger ages. That matters, because it means the difference is not simply fate.
An estimated 101 million people in India had diabetes (ICMR-INDIAB, Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology, 2023). Family history is a reason to pay attention early and speak to a doctor.
Sources
General information, not medical advice. Reviewed 2 November 2026.
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