Young and fit dropping dead: A sector comes into focus
Shefali Jariwala
, best known for the 2002 chartbuster '
Kaanta Laga
', due to cardiac arrest, has again brought to light the increasing trend of young, healthy and fit Indians suddenly dying of heart attack. In the past few years, several celebrities, such as
Sidharth Shukla
and
Puneeth Rajkumar
, have died due to cardiac issues. Heart attack incidents which used to affect mainly older adults now appear with increasing frequency among people under 50 years of age.
The epidemic of cardiovascular diseases in India has created a lot of awareness about timely diagnosis among people which puts the focus on an emerging segment in India's
healthcare
sector -- diagnostics.
India's diagnostics
sector is undergoing a significant transformation, shifting from a fragmented business to a structured and tech-driven industry. Recently,
Amazon
announced its foray into the diagnostics space, marking a defining moment in this evolution. With an estimated market size of $25 billion and rapid growth, diagnostics is emerging as one of the most promising segments in Indian healthcare. But what triggered this boom? What forces are shaping its future? And is there a link to the rise in sudden heart attacks among India's young population?
Changing mindsets and a pandemic-led shift
Play Video
Pause
Skip Backward
Skip Forward
Unmute
Current Time
0:00
/
Duration
0:00
Loaded
:
0%
0:00
Stream Type
LIVE
Seek to live, currently behind live
LIVE
Remaining Time
-
0:00
1x
Playback Rate
Chapters
Chapters
Descriptions
descriptions off
, selected
Captions
captions settings
, opens captions settings dialog
captions off
, selected
Audio Track
Picture-in-Picture
Fullscreen
This is a modal window.
Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window.
Text
Color
White
Black
Red
Green
Blue
Yellow
Magenta
Cyan
Opacity
Opaque
Semi-Transparent
Text Background
Color
Black
White
Red
Green
Blue
Yellow
Magenta
Cyan
Opacity
Opaque
Semi-Transparent
Transparent
Caption Area Background
Color
Black
White
Red
Green
Blue
Yellow
Magenta
Cyan
Opacity
Transparent
Semi-Transparent
Opaque
Font Size
50%
75%
100%
125%
150%
175%
200%
300%
400%
Text Edge Style
None
Raised
Depressed
Uniform
Drop shadow
Font Family
Proportional Sans-Serif
Monospace Sans-Serif
Proportional Serif
Monospace Serif
Casual
Script
Small Caps
Reset
restore all settings to the default values
Done
Close Modal Dialog
End of dialog window.
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
Per i già clienti mobile TIM, Fibra fino a 2,5 Gbps, internet e chiamate illimitate da 24,90€/mese
TIM
Scopri di più
Undo
The COVID-19 pandemic was a catalyst that brought diagnostics to the forefront of healthcare. Once seen as a backend service, diagnostic testing has now become integral to proactive health management. More Indians are choosing routine screenings and preventive tests over symptomatic treatment. The shift in mindset, from illness-based to wellness-based healthcare, has been profound. This behavioral transformation laid the groundwork for diagnostics to flourish across urban and semi-urban India.
During the pandemic, diagnostic players were overloaded with work. Their bottom lines were getting better every single quarter. Between FY20 and FY22 – in just two years – literally all the companies saw a growth of more than 50% in absolute revenue numbers, as per a recent ET report. Once the pandemic ended, the workload returned to normal. The cash generated during Covid was utilized by different companies in different ways. Some used it to reduce their debt burden, others used it for expansion, using the cash for mergers that turned them from regional to national players.
Live Events
Post-pandemic, the demand for diagnostic services has surged, not only because of higher health awareness but also due to the lingering effects of the virus, which prompted many to seek tests related to heart health, respiratory function, and immune markers.
India's recent diagnostics growth is also closely linked to the rising incidence of non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Conditions such as cardiovascular diseases (CVD), diabetes, hypertension and cancer are being detected at younger ages and are increasingly prevalent even in tier-2 and tier-3 cities. This has naturally escalated the demand for laboratory tests and imaging services. There has been a noted increase in sudden heart attacks among young and seemingly fit Indians, especially post-COVID. While there is no direct data attributing this to the boom in diagnostics, the phenomenon has contributed to an increase in cardiovascular screenings such as lipid profiles, ECGs and stress tests. As more individuals seek to understand their cardiac risk, diagnostics have become a proactive tool for early detection.
The Indian diagnostics sector is transitioning rapidly from unorganised, standalone labs to structured, pan-India diagnostic chains. Organised players such as Dr
Lal PathLabs
, Metropolis, Thyrocare and
SRL Diagnostics
are increasing their footprints through franchise models and acquisitions. Organised diagnostic labs currently command around 15% market share but this is rising steadily, according to a recent report by PhillipCapital. The market is characterized by a high degree of fragmentation, with hospital-based labs holding a 37% share and unorganized standalone labs controlling the remaining 48%.
Amazon India's recent launch of its diagnostics service in collaboration with Orange Health Labs is a significant milestone for the sector. The service, currently available in six major cities and 450+ PIN codes, offers over 800 tests with home sample collection in under 60 minutes and reports delivered within six hours.
This entry not only validates the sector's growth potential but also intensifies competition. Following Amazon's announcement, shares of major diagnostic players like Dr Lal PathLabs and Metropolis fell by up to 3%, reflecting market concerns about pricing pressures and customer retention. Amazon brings scale, tech infrastructure and a convenience-first model, which could redefine customer expectations in diagnostics, especially in urban centers.
One of the most promising aspects of the diagnostics sector is its expansion beyond metros. Non-metro cities are witnessing an annual growth rate of 20–25% in diagnostics demand, compared to 10% in metro cities. Rising health awareness, increasing affluence, and better insurance penetration are enabling residents in smaller towns to opt for preventive testing. Organised players are aggressively entering these markets, setting up franchise labs, mobile collection centers and even partnering with local clinics to provide high-quality testing services. The demand surge from rural and semi-urban areas is expected to play a pivotal role in the sector's growth trajectory over the next five years. Recently,
Suraksha Diagnostics
said it will invest Rs 200 crore to set up over 20 advanced imaging centres across eastern India. The plan, which will be executed in collaboration with United Imaging, is aimed at expanding access to advanced diagnostic services in tier 2 and tier 3 cities, enhancing both affordability and healthcare quality in smaller towns and semi-urban regions, it said.
The Indian government's healthcare initiatives, particularly Ayushman Bharat, have improved access to diagnostics for a broader population. Additionally, state-level Public-Private Partnership models in radiology, such as the Punjab government's tie-up with private players for operating MRI and CT scan centers, are helping bridge infrastructure gaps.
Health insurance is also becoming more inclusive of diagnostics, covering pre-emptive testing and annual health checks. As out-of-pocket expenses decline, more individuals are accessing regular testing services, further supporting sectoral growth.
What lies ahead for the diagnostic sector
India's diagnostics sector remains under-penetrated compared to global standards. When measured by the number of tests conducted per person each year, India lags far behind other developing nations such as Brazil and Saudi Arabia--even though India has the largest population in the world. This indicates that there is still a huge untapped demand for diagnostics services in the country, as per the PhillipCapital report.
The diagnostic sector in India is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of around 14% through FY2028, according to the PhillipCapital report. Radiology services alone are projected to expand from $7.1 billion in FY2025 to $13.5 billion by FY2030. The expansion will be led by increased adoption of AI in medical imaging, growth in home-based testing and broader genomic and personalised medicine offerings.
However, challenges remain. Pricing pressures from new entrants like Amazon, quality standardisation in smaller labs and the need for improved regulation and accreditation are ongoing issues. The government and industry will need to work in tandem to ensure that growth does not compromise accuracy or ethics.
The Indian diagnostics sector is no longer an auxiliary healthcare service. It is becoming a central pillar of the country's healthcare ecosystem. Driven by lifestyle changes, epidemiological shifts, digital innovation, and consumer demand, the sector is poised for sustained expansion. Amazon's entry marks a shift from traditional models to a more consumer-focused, tech-enabled and scalable diagnostic future. While the rise in sudden heart attacks among the young has brought cardiovascular diagnostics into focus, the sector's momentum is supported by a much broader wave of preventive health consciousness sweeping the nation. Diagnostics in India is not just booming; it is evolving and preparing to redefine how 1.4 billion people manage their health.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
India Today
11 minutes ago
- India Today
Shubhanshu Shukla's space mission could rewrite the rules of diabetes care. Here's how
Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla is currently part of a historic mission aboard the International Space Station (ISS), participating in over 60 scientific experiments as part of the Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4). Among them is a study that could reshape how we understand and manage diabetes: not just in space, but also on years, people with insulin-dependent diabetes have been excluded from space missions because of the challenges of managing blood sugar levels in a zero-gravity environment. The Ax-4 mission is now rethinking that 'SUITE RIDE' PROJECT: A STEP TOWARD INCLUSION A major highlight of the Ax-4 mission is a research project called Suite Ride, designed to study how glucose metabolism is affected by ultimate goal is to make it safe for people with diabetes to live and work in space."Suite Ride is investigating how the space environment affects glucose metabolism in the human body. This can enhance our understanding of diabetes and other metabolic diseases that impact blood sugar regulation," Dr. Mohammad Fityan, Clinical Lead for the Suite Ride project (Ax-4) from Burjeel Holdings, Chief Medical Officer, Burjeel Medical City, told Dr. Mohammad Fityan (right), Clinical Lead of the Burjeel–Ax-4 Space Health Research, with Gavin D'Elia (L), Global Head Of Pharma at Axiom Space and Dr. Lucie Low, Chief Scientist for Axiom Space at Kennedy Space Center. advertisementBurjeel Holdings, the research collaborator behind the project, partnered with Axiom Space to explore how Continuous Glucose Monitors (CGMs) and insulin fare in space. These tools are already revolutionising diabetes care on SPACE IS A GAME-CHANGER FOR DIABETES RESEARCHMicrogravity provides an environment that allows scientists to study the body without the usual gravitational pressures. This makes it possible to observe glucose metabolism in an entirely new light."Microgravity allows us to study metabolism without the influence of gravity. Changes in muscle mass, fluid distribution, and circadian rhythm offer new insights into glucose metabolism and insulin sensitivity. This may lead to the identification of novel pathways and early biomarkers for insulin resistance," said Dr. studying healthy individuals in space, scientists can create a foundation for understanding how diabetes behaves in such conditions, an essential step toward future space travel for those with chronic THE STUDY WORKS ABOARD ISSDuring the two-week mission, one or more astronauts are wearing CGMs for the entire duration. These devices continuously monitor blood glucose levels and send data back to Earth. The Ax-4 crew members aboard the International Space Station. (Photo: Nasa) "One or more astronauts are wearing CGMs for the entire duration of the mission. Readings are continuously monitored, and data is being collected. Insulin pens were sent on the flight, but astronauts are not using them. We are testing the viability and stability of insulin in the space environment. Point-of-care blood samples are also being taken during the mission to validate glucose levels. Lancets, needles, and blood glucose analyzers (i-STAT) were provided by Burjeel Holdings," said Dr. BARRIERS FOR DIABETICS IN SPACEDr. Fityan explained the current barriers that keep people with diabetes from going to space:Glucose variability and hypoglycemia can be life-threatening in space, where immediate medical help isn't challenges due to storage temperatures, fluid shifts, and inconsistent absorption in need for extremely accurate glucose control, which is hard to maintain on long Ax-4 mission is helping scientists understand how healthy metabolism behaves in microgravity and whether CGMs can be safely used by astronauts with diabetes in future CARE ON EARTHThe findings from Ax-4 are not just for future astronauts. They could also benefit people on Earth, especially in remote or underserved areas. advertisementThis study could lead to:Remote monitoring platforms for real-time metabolic glucose monitors for extreme or low-resource predictive models for personal diabetes drug targets to improve insulin sensitivity."This research helps expand eligibility for spaceflight, not by lowering standards, but by creating technologies and protocols that enable safe participation for individuals with chronic conditions, such as insulin-dependent diabetes," Dr. Fityan told NEXT?Once the mission returns, researchers will analyse the data to determine the next steps."We hope this research opens the door to future studies, including sending the first astronaut with diabetes into space and exploring other metabolic and chronic conditions," said Dr. Ax-4 mission, with Shubhanshu Shukla on board, could mark a historic event, one where space is accessible even for those managing chronic conditions like diabetes, and where the lessons from above help save lives back on Earth.- EndsTune InMust Watch
News18
14 minutes ago
- News18
‘Risky Lifestyle…': Health Ministry Clarifies No Links Between Covid Vaccines And Sudden Deaths
The health ministry noted that the studies have shown that the sudden cardiac deaths can result from a wide range of factors, including genetics, lifestyle, pre-existing conditions The Union Health Ministry on Tuesday clarified that there is no link between Covid-19 vaccines and sudden premature deaths among adults, citing various studies by Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC). Covid vaccines and sudden death concerns about the link between the two have been a topic of public interest. However, evidence consistently shows that Covid vaccination does not increase the risk of unexplained sudden death. 'The matter of sudden unexplained deaths has been investigated through several agencies in the country. These studies have conclusively established that there is no direct link between COVID 19 vaccination and the reports of sudden deaths in the country," the ministry said in a statement. The health ministry noted that the studies have shown that the sudden cardiac deaths can result from a wide range of factors, including genetics, lifestyle, pre-existing conditions, and post-Covid complications. 'Studies by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) affirm that COVID-19 vaccines in India are safe and effective, with extremely rare instances of serious side effects. Sudden cardiac deaths can result from a wide range of factors, including genetics, lifestyle, pre-existing conditions, and post-COVID complications," the press release added. The two studies, done by ICMR and NCDC, offer a more comprehensive understanding of sudden unexplained deaths in young adults in India. As per the studies, it has been revealed that Covid-19 vaccination does not appear to increase the risk, whereas, the role of underlying health issues, genetic predisposition and risky lifestyle choices does play a role in unexplained sudden deaths. Scientific experts have reiterated that statements linking Covid vaccination to sudden deaths are false and misleading, and are not supported by scientific consensus. Speculative claims without conclusive evidence risk undermining public confidence in vaccines, which have played a crucial role in saving millions of lives during the pandemic. Such unfounded reports and claims could strongly contribute to vaccine hesitancy in the country, thereby adversely impacting public health. The government's response came after Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah recently alleged that 'hasty approval and distribution" of the Covid vaccine to the public could also be a reason for the recent deaths due to heart attacks in Hassan. At least 22 people, including five aged between 19 and 25, have died due to heart attacks in Hassan district over the last 40 days, officials familiar with the development said, adding that most of the deaths happened without any visible symptoms, with several collapsing at home or in public spaces. In a statement issued on Tuesday, Siddaramaiah said, 'In the past month alone, in just one district of Hassan, more than twenty people have died due to heart attacks. The government is taking this matter very seriously…To identify the exact cause of these series of deaths and to find solutions, a committee of experts has been formed under the leadership of Dr Ravindranath, Director of Jayadeva Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences and Research, and they have been instructed to submit a study report within 10 days." According to him, orders were given to the same committee back in February to conduct a thorough study on the reasons behind sudden deaths among young people in the state, and whether the COVID vaccines could have had any adverse effects. In this regard, the process of examining and analysing heart patients is also underway. 'We too value the lives of children, youth, and innocent people who have their entire lives ahead of them, and we share the concerns of their families," he said. (With inputs from agencies)
Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
Health alert: Scientists discover plastic particles inside sperm and ovaries in alarming new research
First, it was air and water, then the placenta, brain, and even testicles. Now, minute fragments of plastic called microplastics are being found inside human reproductive fluids , prompting new questions about fertility and health. At the 41st annual meeting of the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology (ESHRE) in Paris on July 2, Spanish researchers revealed that microplastics were present in 69 percent of follicular fluid samples (taken from 29 women) and 55 percent of semen samples (from 22 men). Microplastics are polymer fragments that range in size from less than 0.2 inches (5 millimetres) to 1/25,000th of an inch (1 micrometre). Polymers are chemical compounds with long chains of large and repetitive molecular units called monomers, and are known for being flexible and durable. Most plastics are synthetic polymers. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Cheap Cyprus Holiday Packages From The UK (Take A Look) BestSearches | Search Ads Undo 'These aren't isolated findings, it's widespread,' said Dr. Emilio Gómez-Sánchez, lead researcher from Next Fertility Murcia. The most common polymer detected was polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), better known as nonstick cookware coating, found in nearly one-third of women's samples and just over 40 percent of men's. Other plastics like polyethylene, polyurethane, polyamide, PET, polypropylene, and polystyrene also turned up in more than half of the female samples and over half of the male samples. Live Events Dr. Matthew Campen, a researcher at the University of New Mexico who previously detected microplastics in the brain and testicles, commented that the new findings are a warning light. 'It sets the stage for more advanced studies on plastics exposure and reproductive fitness,' he warned. But experts are quick to urge calm. 'There's no reason to panic,' Gómez‑Sánchez emphasized. 'Exposure isn't the only piece of a complex fertility puzzle,'. Still, the researchers intend to expand the study and examine whether microplastics might affect sperm or egg quality. How do microplastics enter the body? Microplastics enter the body through ingestion, inhalation, and even skin contact. Once in the bloodstream, they migrate throughout the body, lodging in organs, including reproductive ones. Studies in animals show microplastics can generate inflammation, DNA damage, free radicals, and hormonal disruption. But scientists stress that to date, there's no proven effect on human fertility. As a precaution, experts suggest skipping plastic containers and bottles. especially when heating food and opting for glass, steel, or bamboo alternatives.
