For decades, heart disease was widely seen as a problem that mostly affected men. Many believed women had natural protection because of hormones like estrogen.
That belief is now changing.
Doctors across India say they are seeing more women in cardiac wards than before.
While India does not yet have a single nationwide year-on-year female heart attack tracker, hospital registries and national studies show that women form a significant and sometimes growing share of serious heart disease cases.
Cardiologists from leading centres such as the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) and the Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER) have publicly warned that heart disease in women is under-recognised and often diagnosed late.
National estimates from the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and the Global Burden of Disease Study confirm that cardiovascular disease is one of the leading causes of death among Indian women.
MULTICENTRE HOSPITAL REGISTRY DATA
One of the strongest pieces of hospital evidence comes from the National Heart Failure Registry (NHFR), a multicentre registry involving hospitals across India.
The study analysed thousands of patients admitted with acute heart failure and found that women represented roughly one-third of hospital admissions, with distinct risk factors and outcomes compared to men.
NATIONWIDE HEART ATTACK TREATMENT STUDY (OVER 41,000 PATIENTS)
A large nationwide study analysing 41,832 acute myocardial infarction (heart attack) patients across multiple hospitals in India found gender differences in treatment and outcomes.
Women were less likely to receive certain early interventions and had different complication patterns compared to men.
HOSPITAL-BASED EVIDENCE ON HEART FAILURE IN WOMEN
Research published in the Indian Journal of Cardiovascular Disease in Women highlights that heart failure is a major and often overlooked cardiovascular issue among women in India.
GENDER DIFFERENCES IN PREMATURE CORONARY ARTERY DISEASE
Another clinical study from South India examined gender differences in patients with premature coronary artery disease. It found that women often had different risk profiles and were sometimes diagnosed later than men.
WHAT THE NATIONAL DATA SHOW
Beyond hospital records, national estimates strengthen the picture.
The Global Burden of Disease data show that ischaemic heart disease has increased steadily in India over the past two decades. While men still account for a larger share of cases, the number of women affected remains substantial.
The National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5) also reports rising rates of hypertension and obesity among Indian women, two major risk factors for heart disease.
Together, hospital registries and national surveys suggest that women’s cardiovascular risk is not declining and may be rising due to lifestyle changes, diabetes, and urban stress.
WHY IS THIS HAPPENING?
Doctors point to several reasons:
- Rising obesity and diabetes among women
- Increasing stress from work and household responsibilities
- Reduced physical activity in urban areas
- High salt and processed food consumption
- Low awareness of “atypical” heart attack symptoms
Unlike men, women often experience fatigue, jaw pain, nausea, or breathlessness instead of classic chest pain. This leads to delayed hospital visits.
YOUNGER WOMEN ALSO AT RISK
Earlier, heart disease was mostly seen after age 60. Now, cardiologists report cases among women in their late 30s and 40s.
Rising metabolic disorders such as diabetes and PCOS contribute to early risk. After menopause, loss of hormonal protection increases vulnerability further.
TREATMENT GAPS REMAIN A CONCERN
Some hospital studies suggest women may receive delayed interventions compared to men in emergency heart attack cases.
However, experts say awareness is improving, and more gender-sensitive cardiac care protocols are being introduced in tertiary hospitals.
Not every hospital has released year-on-year female heart attack statistics. But when:
- Multicentre registries
- Hospital cohort studies
- National mortality data
- Risk factor surveys
When viewed together, the trend is clear: heart disease among Indian women is a serious and under-recognised public health issue.
The old idea that heart disease is mainly a “male condition” is outdated.
WHAT WOMEN SHOULD DO
Doctors recommend:
- Regular blood pressure and sugar checks after age 30
- Maintaining a healthy weight
- At least 30 minutes of daily physical activity
- Avoiding tobacco
- Seeking immediate care for unexplained fatigue, jaw pain, or breathlessness
Heart disease is preventable in many cases if detected early.
The biological “shield” once believed to protect women may not be enough in today’s lifestyle environment. Awareness, early screening, and timely treatment are critical.
