Heart pill sales explode 50% in 5 years: What's fueling India's cardiac crisis?
Live Events
What types of medicines are selling more?
Statins lower cholesterol
Anti-hypertensives reduce blood pressure
Anti-anginals help with chest pain by improving blood flow
Celebrity deaths and rising concern
(You can now subscribe to our
(You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel
The rise in heart disease cases across India is now showing up clearly in pharmacy counters. Sales of cardiac medicines have gone up by over 50% in just five years, according to a recent Pharmarack report quoted by TOI.From June 2021 to June 2025, sales grew from Rs 1,761 crore to Rs 2,645 crore, with a steady yearly growth of 10.7%. These figures come from 17 major Indian pharmaceutical companies that account for more than half of the market.Doctors say there are many reasons behind this increase. First, there is better awareness about heart diseases. Also, more people are getting diagnosed thanks to improved access to health checks. New rules have also changed how hypertension is measured.'Earlier, a reading of 130-140 was considered high. Now, even above 120 is taken seriously,' said Dr Suraj Nagre of JJ Hospital.India's population is also ageing. 'As people live longer, heart problems become more common,' said senior cardiologist Dr Akshay Mehta.Heart medicines today go beyond just lowering cholesterol. There is a growing demand for drugs that treat heart failure, irregular heart rhythms, and chest pain. 'Many of these medicines work together,' explained Dr Ramakanta Panda.For example:The recent deaths of celebrities and young fitness lovers due to heart attacks have made many people more cautious. Dr Charan Lanjewar from KEM Hospital said that in most cardiac arrest cases, 'there isn't a single cause. It's usually a mix of lifestyle, stress and poor habits.'Government data shows that 63% of all deaths in India are from non-communicable diseases (NCDs), and 27% of those are linked to heart problems.Inputs from TOI
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
25 minutes ago
- Time of India
Uncertainty surrounds completion of critical care block at old GGH in Vijayawada
Vijayawada: Uncertainty looms large over the construction of the critical care block at the old govt general hospital premises in Vijayawada. The block at the old GGH premises was conceptualised nearly seven years ago to reduce patient burden, as the existing facilities at the old GGH premises were found inadequate to handle the growing in-patient admissions. Currently, the 280-bed Vijayawada old GGH offers gynaecology, paediatric, and psychiatry services and serves as a major centre for maternal deliveries. Pregnant women from underprivileged backgrounds with limited resources opt the hospital for maternal healthcare. To enhance neonatal care and provide critical care facilities, a new critical care block with nearly 120 beds at a cost of Rs 24 crore in central funds was planned. Foundation stone was laid for the construction of the new block in December 2023 by the previous govt. However, the construction progressed at snail's pace as the contractor halted the works, allegedly over non-payment of funds and unknown reasons, leading to the hospital building missing several deadlines. The latest deadline set for handing over the hospital block was June 30, which elapsed as the contractor failed to finish the works. "Currently, the civil structure works of the building are completed, and interior works such as electric wiring, painting, and others are pending. We are not aware of when the contractor will complete them and hand over the critical care block to us," said Vijayawada GGH superintendent Dr AV Rao. The superintendent said that they are continuously following up with the contractor and have given a target to finish the works at least by October. The old GGH is often overburdened with patients, and doctors are forced to treat two patients on a single bed due to a shortage of beds. "Once the critical care block is made available, the bed shortage will be addressed to a good extent. Although the construction works on the new critical care block were initiated during the previous TDP regime, they were halted by the last regime due to unknown reasons, and now the works have been expedited," a senior official at Old GGH told TOI on condition of anonymity.
Time of India
34 minutes ago
- Time of India
10 early Parkinson's signs you might be missing — revealed after Ozzy Osbourne's tragic death
What are the most common early signs of Parkinson's? Live Events Here are 10 early Parkinson's warning signs you shouldn't ignore: What makes early detection so important for this disease? FAQs (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel The world mourns the death of rock legend Ozzy Osbourne, who died at the age of 76 after a long battle with Parkinson's disease. Ozzy, also known as the Prince of Darkness, revealed the condition's hidden symptoms through his public journey. His story now sheds light on warning signs that many people continue to Osbourne's death has left a void in the music industry, as well as renewed focus on Parkinson's disease, which he bravely battled for years. Diagnosed after a fall at his Los Angeles home, the rock icon lived with a progressive neurological condition that gradually robbed him of his mobility, independence, and, eventually, his ability to tributes pour in, his journey is bringing attention to the lesser-known early symptoms of Parkinson's disease, many of which go unnoticed until it's too late, as per a report by The US disease is frequently associated with tremors and stiffness, but its initial symptoms can be much more the world mourns the passing of rock legend Ozzy Osbourne, his battle with Parkinson's disease shines a spotlight on the early symptoms that are often overlooked. Parkinson's is a progressive neurological disorder, and catching it early can make a significant difference in managing the condition.A diminished or total loss of smell, especially of familiar foods or scents, can occur years before other symptoms appear. It's one of the most common early signs, yet often dismissed or misattributed to allergies or restless leg syndrome, frequent nighttime awakenings, and even sleep apnea are common in early Parkinson's. Many people also report acting out dreams physically during REM sleep, which is a red flag.A noticeable change in handwriting, especially if it becomes smaller or more cramped—is another early symptom. It's caused by muscle stiffness and slowed movement, which affects motor or frequent urination, especially at night, and ongoing constipation are often early signs. These symptoms result from changes in the autonomic nervous system, which controls involuntary bodily sadness, hopelessness, or a sense of emotional emptiness may develop early—even before motor symptoms. It's more than situational sadness and is thought to stem from chemical imbalances in the of fear, worry, or nervousness that seem excessive or without cause are common in the early stages. Physical symptoms may include a racing heart, dizziness, sweating, or difficulty tiredness that doesn't go away with rest can hit even in the early stages. This type of fatigue can fluctuate daily and is believed to result from both brain chemistry changes and disrupted often associated with later stages, mild shaking or tremors, especially in the hands, can appear early. These usually start on one side of the body and may worsen with stress or activities start to take longer. You may notice a slight shuffle in your walk, slower arm movements, or difficulty with tasks like buttoning a shirt or writing a in the arms, legs, or neck, especially if it's persistent and doesn't go away with movement, can be an early red flag. It may make it harder to get out of bed or move you or someone you know is experiencing several of these signs, it's worth talking to a doctor. Early detection of Parkinson's can improve long-term outcomes, and Ozzy Osbourne's public battle has helped countless others recognize the importance of staying alert to these subtle but serious 166,000 people in the UK have Parkinson's disease, and the number of cases around the world is expected to double by 2050. It's the neurological condition that is growing the fastest in the world. Getting a diagnosis early can lead to earlier treatment, a better quality of life, and more time before symptoms that make life difficult start to show helped bring attention to this hard-to-understand illness by being honest about his problems. His legacy now includes not only his famous music but also the work he did to raise awareness about Parkinson's disease. His story might encourage others to get help sooner and better manage their may include loss of smell, fatigue, sleep disturbances, anxiety, and smaller While most people are diagnosed after 50, some develop symptoms in their 40s or earlier.
Time of India
4 hours ago
- Time of India
Will Bryan Johnson never die? Here's all about tech entrepreneur's tall claim, Bryan AI and Project Blueprint
What is Bryan AI? Think like him Respond like him Hold his values and memory Serve as a digital twin Live Events What is Project Blueprint? A strict diet and intermittent fasting Sleeping at 5:00 PM with over eight hours of sleep Daily health tracking of organs and skin elasticity Weekly MRI scans and ultrasounds Guidance from over 30 doctors and health experts AI and the Future of Human Consciousness Kernel and Real-Time Brain Mapping Read brain activity in real time Help store or transfer memory Enable communication between human brains and machines A New View of Existence and Death FAQs (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel In a recent WIRED interview, Johnson said he does not believe he will die. This statement is not based on belief alone but on scientific projects he is funding and leading. His work combines artificial intelligence, biology, and neuroscience to develop a new understanding of life and believes that human identity can move beyond biology. He is developing Bryan AI, a digital version of himself. This system is being trained using thousands of hours of his recorded conversations, writings, interviews, and to Johnson, Bryan AI will:This project reflects Johnson's idea that a person's consciousness can live beyond the body. He sees Bryan AI as a second version of himself, stored digitally and able to evolve personal health project, known as Project Blueprint, costs around $2 million per year. It focuses on reversing biological aging and is supported by a large medical features of his lifestyle include:One notable act under this program included a plasma transfusion from his teenage son. The goal was to refresh his body using younger blood. Critics raised concerns, but Johnson viewed it as an experiment. According to his data, his biological age has decreased by more than five view of AI is not as a tool but as a pathway to extending human life. Bryan AI represents more than a program—it is a reflection of his own goal is to upload memory, personality, and thought into a digital system. This approach connects with a larger scientific field called mind uploading , where technology is used to preserve or replicate many experts believe a digital copy cannot truly replace a human mind, Johnson disagrees. He sees brain functions as patterns that can be copied, understood, and also leads Kernel, a neurotech company that is working on non-invasive brain helmets are designed to:To Johnson, biology is only the beginning. He refers to it as version 1.0, while digital life is version 2.0. This belief guides his work across all long-term goal is not just to live longer but to create a new form of existence where consciousness continues through data and view redefines mortality. He sees death not as unavoidable but as a technical challenge. His work aims to make continued existence the most important believes that if consciousness can be preserved or recreated, then death becomes a problem that can be solved, not just AI is a digital replica of Bryan Johnson's consciousness, built using AI trained on his data, aimed at preserving his identity beyond his biological Blueprint is Bryan Johnson's $2 million-per-year program to reverse biological aging through strict routines, advanced medical scans, and expert health monitoring.
