Cardiac Health: What You Need to Know About Heart Care in India

When we talk about cardiac health, the condition and function of the heart and blood vessels. Also known as heart health, it's not just about avoiding a heart attack—it's about keeping your heart strong enough to handle daily life without warning signs. In India, one in four adults shows early signs of heart trouble by age 40, and nearly half of all heart attacks happen before age 55. That’s not just a statistic—it’s your neighbor, your parent, maybe even you.

Heart disease, a group of conditions affecting the heart’s ability to pump blood, is the top cause of death in India, beating out even cancer. It’s not just about high cholesterol or bad genetics. Poor diet, lack of movement, stress, and untreated high blood pressure, a silent condition where force against artery walls is too high. Also known as hypertension, it affects over 30% of urban Indians over 30. Many people don’t know they have it until something serious happens. And when it does, options like heart surgery, a procedure to repair or replace damaged heart tissue or vessels. Also known as cardiac surgery, it’s not always the answer. Not everyone is a candidate. Some people are too weak, too old, or have other conditions that make surgery riskier than living with the problem.

What you’ll find here isn’t fluff. These aren’t generic tips about eating more greens or walking more. These are real stories, real tests, real choices people in India have made—like whether to skip knee replacement when bone-on-bone arthritis hits, or how to avoid heart surgery when your arteries are clogged. You’ll see what doctors in Bangalore, Delhi, and Mumbai actually recommend when someone comes in with chest tightness or shortness of breath. You’ll learn why some herbs raise blood pressure, what tests are truly needed (and which ones aren’t), and how to tell if you’re at risk before it’s too late. This isn’t about fear. It’s about awareness. And the next step? It’s right below.