Gujarat’s nine-fold rise in heart attack deaths in 5 yrs raises alarm

The sharp rise in heart attack cases and related deaths in Gujarat has become a matter of serious concern. On an average, around 205 people die every day in the state due to heart attacks or heart-related diseases. Among all causes of death in Gujarat, heart disease now ranks at the top.

What is even more alarming is that deaths due to heart attacks have increased nine-fold over the last five years.

According to an official report on causes of death in Gujarat, the number of deaths due to heart attacks stood at 8,689 in 2019. This figure surged dramatically to 74,777 in 2023. In total, nearly 2.97 lakh people lost their lives due to heart attacks and heart-related diseases in the last five years.

However, compared to 2021, a slight decline has been observed in 2023. In 2021, as many as 93,797 people died due to heart disease, translating to an average of 257 deaths per day. The data released by the Gujarat government is available only up to 2023, and experts fear that the figures for 2024 and 2025 could be even higher.

In a single year, 24,853 people died due to respiratory problems such as asthma, 18,371 due to cancer, while 7,626 lost their lives in road accidents. This means that, on an average, 68 people die daily due to respiratory illnesses and 50 due to cancer in Gujarat.

Overall, around 2.35 lakh deaths occur in Gujarat every year due to various causes. During the Covid-19 pandemic, the death toll was significantly higher, with 5.23 lakh deaths in 2020 and 7.25 lakh in 2021.

Despite claims of providing clean drinking water, government data reveals that 96 people died due to cholera and 281 due to diarrhoea in a single year, raising serious questions about public health infrastructure.

Heart Attack: What You Must Know

What is Sudden Cardiac Death?

Sudden Cardiac Death refers to an unexpected death caused by heart-related problems. Among young patients who experience sudden death, a significant percentage of cases are attributed to sudden cardiac arrest.

Common Symptoms of a Heart Attack:

Heaviness or pain in the chest

Excessive sweating

Rapid or irregular heartbeat

Difficulty in breathing

Dizziness or blackout

Extreme weakness

Acidity-like discomfort

Back pain

Pain in the jaw

Heaviness or pain in the arms

Health experts stress that recognizing these symptoms early and seeking immediate medical help can save lives, especially at a time when heart-related deaths are rising at an alarming rate in Gujarat.