Nine In Ten Indian Adults Have Abnormal Blood Lipids, Madras Research Study Finds

A national study co-authored by researchers at the Madras Diabetes Research Foundation has revealed that nine out of ten Indian adults live with dyslipidemia, an abnormal level of blood lipids that acts as a silent precursor to cardiovascular disease. Published recently in the Journal of Clinical Lipidology, the ICMR-INDIAB study warns that these unhealthy lipid imbalances steadily raise the long-term risk of heart attacks and strokes across the country, especially among urban residents.

Researchers analyzed data from 23,665 participants nationwide to map the prevalence of dyslipidemia, which refers to unhealthy levels of fats like cholesterol and triglycerides in the bloodstream. The study found that the condition is no longer confined to small, high-risk groups but has instead become the norm for the vast majority of Indian adults, often starting when individuals reach their 30s.

According to the findings, the single most common abnormality was low levels of 'good' HDL cholesterol, which helps clear fat from the bloodstream, affecting 66.8% of the adults sampled. Additionally, high levels of 'bad' LDL cholesterol affected roughly 49.4% of participants, while raised triglycerides were found in 29.5% of the sample, showing that multiple lipid issues frequently coexist in individuals.

Dr. V Mohan, chairperson of the Madras Diabetes Research Foundation and senior author of the study, emphasized the silent nature of the condition. He noted that individuals do not feel high cholesterol or triglycerides the way they feel chest pain, but warned that these silent numbers eventually lead to fatty plaques in the arteries that can block blood flow to the heart or brain. Dr. Mohan added that proper lifestyle changes and medicines can help prevent these complications.

The study highlighted that women, city dwellers, and individuals in Central India carry a disproportionate burden of the condition. The prevalence of dyslipidemia climbs steadily with worsening body mass index and spikes sharply among those with prediabetes, diabetes, obesity, and hypertension. Geographically, Central India recorded the highest prevalence at 89.1%, while the North-East recorded the lowest at 85.3%.