Gujarat Records 3,253 Heart Attack Deaths in 2024, Up 26% in Decade

Ahmedabad: In 2024, Gujarat Police recorded accidental deaths of 3,253 persons, with heart attack identified as the cause. This translates to an average of nine deaths daily. Of the total victims, 89.4% were men.

Rising Trend Over a Decade

Sudden deaths attributed to heart attacks have increased by 26% over the past decade, rising from 2,581 cases in 2015 to 3,253 in 2024. Gujarat's tally is the third highest in India after Maharashtra (14,874) and Kerala (5,015). The state accounts for 8.5% of the total heart attack deaths classified as accidental deaths in the country.

NCRB Report Insights

The data is from the recently released report “Accidental Deaths and Suicides in India (ADSI) 2024” by the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB). Of the 23,790 accidental deaths in Gujarat, 13.7% were due to heart attacks. Since 2023, viral videos of people—mostly men—collapsing suddenly after dance or other activities have raised concerns about coronary artery disease (CAD).

—

Wide Pickt banner — collaborative shopping lists app for Telegram, phone mockup with grocery list

Major Causes of Accidental Deaths

Heart attack is the second leading cause of accidental deaths in Gujarat, following road accidents, which claimed 7,717 lives. The state recorded 31,450 total cases, with 14,952 injured and 23,790 dead. In terms of total accidental deaths, Gujarat ranks seventh among Indian states.

The number of deaths in 2024 surpassed the previous high of 3,206 in 2018. Over the past decade, year-on-year growth was negative only three times, including during the COVID-19 year 2020.

Expert Analysis

City-based experts attribute the trend to multiple factors. Dr. Jayesh Prajapati, professor of cardiology at the UN Mehta Institute of Cardiology and Research Centre (UNMICRC), noted a major change in food habits post-COVID. “As a society, we are eating out more, consuming ultra-processed and rich food, leading to rising cholesterol levels. Several studies indicate higher LDL and lower HDL levels, altering the lipid profile,” he said.

He added, “Combine these with a sedentary lifestyle and factors like hypertension, diabetes, and obesity, and you have a society on the brink of a silent epidemic of CAD.”

Earlier studies in Gujarat and Ahmedabad pointed to plaque rupture in arteries as a major factor for sudden heart attack deaths. Other factors include coronary inflammation, angiopathy, and cardiomyopathy. Experts highlight the prevalence of heart disease at younger ages and stress as contributing factors. Cardiologists advise regular check-ups after age 40 for early intervention.