Parliament Question: Increase of Sudden Cardiac Arrest

GOVERNMENTOFINDIA MINISTRYOFHEALTH AND FAMILYWELFARE DEPARTMENTOFHEALTH RESEARCH LOK SABHA UNSTARREDQUESTION NO. 5669 TOBE ANSWERED ON27TH MARCH, 2026 INCREASE OFSUDDEN CARDIAC ARREST

5669.SHRIESWARASAMYK.:

Will the Minister of HEALTHANDFAMILYWELFAREbe pleasedtostate:

(a) whether the Government has taken note of reports indicating an increase in sudden deaths, including sudden cardiac arrests, among apparently healthy individuals in the age group of 18-45 yearsacross the countryandif so, the details thereof;

(b) whether the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) have conducted or commissioned any studies to examine the causes and risk factorsassociated with such sudden deathsand if so, the keyfindingsthereof;

(c) whether any lifestyle factors, pre-existing conditions, post-viral complications or other medicalcauses have been identifiedandif so, the detailsthereof; and

(d) the steps taken/proposed to be taken by the Government to promote early cardiac screening, preventive health check-ups and public awareness campaigns on heart health, particularly targeting youthandworking-age populations? ANSWER THE MINISTER OFSTATE IN THE MINISTRYOFHEALTH AND FAMILYWELFARE (SHRIPRATAPRAO JADHAV)

(a)to(c): Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has informed that ICMR-National Institute of Epidemiology (NIE) conducted a study titled “Factors associated with unexplained sudden deaths amongadults aged 18-45 years in India-Amulticentric matched case-control study” at 47tertiarycare hospitalslocatedacross19States/UnionTerritoriesof Indiaduring May-August2023.

Cases were apparently healthy individuals without any known co-morbidity, who suddenly (<24 hours of hospitalizationor seen apparently healthy24 hours before death)diedof unexplained causes during 1st October 2021-31st March 2023. Four controls were included per case matched for age,gender and neighbourhood. Information was collected regarding data on COVID-19 vaccination/infection, post-COVID-19 conditions, family history of sudden death, smoking, recreational drug use, alcohol frequency, binge drinking and vigorous-intensity physical activity two daysbefore deathamongthe cases / interviewedcontrols. Atotalof 729 sudden deathcases and2916 controlswere included inthe analysis. It was observed thatreceipt of anydose of COVID-19 vaccine reduced the odds for unexplained sudden death. Receiving two doses of COVID-19 vaccine significantly reduced the odds of unexplained sudden death. Past COVID-19 hospitalization, family history of sudden death, binge drinking 48 hours before death/interview, use of recreational drug/substance and performing vigorous-intensity physical activity 48 hours before death/interview increased the odds of sudden death. Hence, the study observed that COVID-19 vaccination did not increase the risk of unexplained sudden death among young adults in India. Past COVID-19 hospitalization, family history of sudden death and certain lifestyle behaviours increased the likelihoodof unexplained sudden death.

Further, inorder tounderstand the reasons for heartattack,ICMR-National Institute of Epidemiology (ICMR-NIE) conducted another multicentric matchedcase-control study in 25hospitals across India.

Cases were patients aged 18-45 years admitted in the study hospitals with newly diagnosed Acute Myocardial Infarction (AMI) between October 2021 and January 2023. Controls were patients aged 18-45 years admitted in the same hospital for other causes, matched for time of hospitalization.

Information was collected regarding the various risk factors. The study observed that hospitalization with AMI was associated with presence of any known comorbidity, family history of thrombotic eventsandeverbeensmoker.

All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) New Delhi conducted a study “Establishing the cause in sudden unexplained deaths in young” using virtual autopsy & CT scan to understand the cause of death inyoungadultpatients (aged18 yearsto 45years). The interim results have suggested that Myocardial Infarction (MI) remained main cause of sudden death and there has not been any shift intrendof causes of sudden deathscompared topreviousyears.

(d): The Department of Health and Family Welfare provides technical and financial support to States and Union Territories under the National Programme for Prevention and Control of Non- Communicable Diseases (NP-NCD). The programme focuses onstrengthening infrastructure, human resource development, screening, early diagnosis, referral, treatment, and health promotion for Non- Communicable Diseases (NCDs). Under National Programme for Prevention and Control of Non- Communicable Diseases (NP-NCD), 770 District NCD Clinics, 364 District Day Care CancerCentres(DCCC), and6,410NCD clinicsat Community HealthCentreshave beenset up.Further297 District Day Care Cancer Centre (DCCC) were approved for the Financial Year 2025-26 to ensure cancercare accessibility at district hospital level.

Further, a population-based initiative for prevention, control and screening for common NCDs including hypertension has beenrolled out in the country underNational HealthMission (NHM) asa part of Comprehensive Primary Health Care. Under the initiative, persons more than 30 years of age are targeted for their screening. To manage acute cardiac events a hub-and-spoke model has been implemented. District hospitals and Community Health Centers (spokes) are equipped to provide initial thrombolysis and stabilization, while tertiary hospitals and medical colleges (hubs) offer advanced interventions. Ambulance services, telemedicine platforms and streamlined referral pathwaysfurther enhanceaccess, especially inrural areas.

Government of India provides financial support under NHM for awareness generation activities for Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) including cardiovascular diseases to be undertaken by the States and Union Territories. The preventive aspect is strengthened under Comprehensive Primary Health Care through Ayushman Arogya Mandir, by promotion of wellness activities and targeted communication at the community level. Furthermore, healthy eating is also promoted through Food Safety & Standards Authority of India. Fit India movement is implemented by Ministry of Youth AffairsandSports, andvariousYogarelatedactivities are carriedout byMinistry of AYUSH.

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