In an alarming revelation that underscores a growing public health crisis, Delhi recorded 34,539 deaths due to heart attacks and cardiovascular diseases in 2024. According to data released by the Delhi government
on Thursday, this represents a staggering 54 per cent increase in fatalities compared to the previous year, when 22,385 deaths were reported.
The statistics highlight a deepening long-term trend, revealing that heart ailments have claimed 3,29,857 lives in the national capital over the last two decades. While the city recorded its lowest annual toll of 8,236 deaths in 2010, the 2024 figures mark a grim historical peak.
Young Lives at Risk
One of the most concerning aspects of the report is the increasing vulnerability of the younger population. In 2024, nearly 13.3 per cent of heart-related fatalities occurred in the 25-44 age group, accounting for 46,129 deaths. The most affected demographic remains the 45-64 age group, which saw 1,03,972 deaths, followed by those aged 65 and above at 92,048.
Disturbingly, the data also reveals that children and adolescents are not immune; over five per cent of the total heart-related deaths (14,321 cases) involved individuals aged 14 years and below. Medical experts point to this as a clear signal that cardiovascular risk is no longer exclusive to the elderly.
Lifestyle vs Genetics
Health specialists in the capital have expressed shock at the sharp year-on-year spike, attributing the rise to a combination of environmental and lifestyle factors. While hereditary predisposition remains a factor, doctors argue that urban stressors are increasingly “pulling the trigger” on genetic vulnerabilities.
The report cites sedentary routines, excessive screen time, and poor dietary habits as primary drivers. Furthermore, the compounding effects of Delhi’s toxic air quality and high stress levels are believed to be damaging heart health much earlier in life. Between 2005 and 2024, a significant gender gap also emerged: out of the total heart-related deaths, 2,10,206 were male, and 1,19,626 were female, with male fatalities in the middle-age bracket being nearly double those of females.
Institutional Challenges
The data, which was largely medically certified, shows that the majority of these deaths occurred in institutional settings, with the 45–64 age group accounting for the highest percentage of hospital-based fatalities.
As mortality rates in the capital climb, experts say the findings serve as a critical call for the government to prioritise preventive cardiac care and air quality management to curb what is fast becoming an urban epidemic.
