What is the prevalence of heart disease among women in India?

The increasing prevalence of heart disease among women in India is a pressing public health issue that demands urgent attention. More than 40 per cent of all deaths in women are attributed to cardiovascular disease (CVD), particularly alarming that Indian women are experiencing heart attacks nearly a decade earlier than their western counterparts. Approximately 4-6 per cent of women in India women encounter strokes by the age of 64, compared to just 3-4 per cent in the West. This requires immediate attention.

From an industry perspective, a more gender-sensitive approach in heart health is necessary. Traditional risk assessments often fail to accurately predict heart disease in women, because women specific symptoms are frequently misdiagnosed or overlooked.

At Lupin, we believe in tackling both healthcare and societal challenges. We are constantly working with healthcare providers to improve early detection and treatment accessibility, particularly in tier II and tier III cities. Our Women’s Heart Health Initiative, Nova Heart, is an instance in this commitment. Through Nova Heart, we aim to educate women about heart health and encourage regular cardiovascular check-ups. The programme also offers free heart health screenings and consultations to rural and underserved areas, with an aim of providing women from all socio-economic backgrounds access to critical cardiac care. Furthermore, the initiative focuses on empowering women with the knowledge and informed health decisions, ultimately fostering a community that prioritises and supports women’s cardiovascular wellness.

Our initiative offers a three-pronged approach entailing awareness about women specific symptoms, improving preventive healthcare access, and developing more gender sensitive diagnostic tools. It’s not just about treating the disease; it’s about transforming how we approach women’s cardiac health in India.

What is currently being done to address women’s cardiovascular health and what are the major challenges faced?

Women’s cardiovascular health, once underrepresented in research and clinical practice, leaves women experiencing a significant shift in perceptions and delivery. This transformation is evident in the increasing focus on women’s health research and the emergence of key initiatives that are reshaping the landscape. A substantial step in the direction is the increase in women-specific cardiovascular research. The NIH’s mandate for the inclusion of women in clinical trials, has led to a remarkable 46 per cent female participation in cardiovascular trials, a significant leap from just 25 per cent a decade ago. The healthcare industry is also prioritising awareness and early detection. We are supporting these efforts through our patient support programmes and have partnered with several women’s health organisations to provide free cardiovascular screenings in underserved areas.

However, there remain several challenges: Biological complexity:

Women often exhibit different symptoms than men during cardiac events ⁽³⁾. This biological variability makes diagnosis and treatment more complex.

Healthcare access: Despite improvements, women are still less likely than men to receive preventive cardiovascular care ⁽⁶⁾. This gap widens significantly in developing markets, where we’re working to improve access through our affordable medication programs.

Knowledge gap: There’s still a concerning lack of awareness about women’s cardiovascular risks. Studies show that only 46 per cent of women recognise heart disease as their leading cause of death ⁽⁵⁾.

Looking ahead, it’s clear that a more targeted approach is necessary. We need to invest in women’s health research, improve healthcare access, and enhance education to address healthcare inequities. At Lupin, we’re investing in AI driven research to better understand gender specific drug responses and developing more targeted therapies for women’s cardiovascular health.

The most critical challenge is to bridge the persistent gap between knowledge and action. While we’ve made significant strides in understanding women’s cardiovascular health, translating this knowledge into practical, accessible healthcare solutions remains our biggest hurdle.

We’re optimistic about the future, but continued collaboration between pharmaceutical companies, healthcare providers, and policymakers is essential to create meaningful change in women’s cardiovascular health outcomes.

How can technology be leveraged to better understand and tackle women’s cardiac health?

According to the American Heart Association, 1 in 5 women dies from cardiovascular disease ⁽⁶⁾. Yet only 56 per cent of women recognise heart disease as their leading health threat ⁽⁷⁾. Additionally, women are more likely to receive an incorrect initial diagnosis during a heart attack compared to men.

Technology is playing a crucial role in addressing the challenge and has become a beacon of hope:

• First, AI and machine learning are helping us develop gender specific diagnostic algorithms. At Lupin, we are particularly interested in how these technologies can identify gender specific biomarkers and symptoms. Traditional cardiac diagnostic criteria were primarily based on male patients, but current findings indicate that women often present different symptoms during cardiac events.
• Second, wearable technology and digital health platforms are transforming preventive care. We are seeing remarkable success with remote monitoring devices that can track heart rhythms, blood pressure, and other vital signs in real time, allowing for earlier intervention.
• Third, big data analytics is a powerful tool that helps us understand population level trends and see risk factors specific to women. For instance, research has revealed that factors like pregnancy complications and autoimmune disorders significantly impact women’s cardiac health. The insights that were made available through the computing power of AI to analyse large datasets.

However, technology alone isn’t the complete solution. We need to engage in a comprehensive approach that combines these technological advances with enhanced awareness programs, sex specific clinical guidelines and better representation of women in clinical trials.

In my opinion, the future of women’s cardiac health lies in personalised medicine powered by technology. The integration of AI driven risk assessment tools, combined with genetic testing and digital health monitoring, will allow us to predict and prevent cardiac events more effectively in women.

Lupin is committed to advancing this cause through our research initiatives and digital health solutions. Our team of experts is dedicated to leveraging technology to improve women’s cardiac health. The challenge now is to ensure it reaches the women who need it most and is implemented in ways that addresses the unique aspects of women’s cardiac health.

How has Lupin used AI powered chatbots and remote monitoring tools, to cater to the growing demand for personalised care? Could you share a few case studies?

At Lupin, we’ve strategically integrated AI powered solutions to enhance patient care and support healthcare professionals. Let me share some specific initiatives and their impact:

Our AI powered chatbot, “ANYA”, is not just a tool for healthcare professionals; it’s a patient friendly platform that has been a game changer since its launch in 2016. It provides instant, evidence based responses to queries about disease management and drug information.

Patients today are tech savvy and well informed about managing their health conditions. However, there is a lack of trusted and comprehensive sources providing disease management information for patients. ANYA aims to bridge this gap by providing medically verified information and acting as a preferred partner for doctors in resolving patient queries anytime.

While AI and remote monitoring tools have significantly enhanced our ability to deliver personalised care, we must maintain a balanced approach. Technology should complement, not replace, human medical expertise. We are expanding our AI capabilities while ensuring our solutions remain accessible and user friendly for both healthcare providers and patients.

We are focused on integrating predictive analytics and real world evidence to personalise treatment protocols. This includes developing AI algorithms that can predict disease progression patients and recommend personalised interventions. We believe, this will be crucial in addressing the growing demand for individualised healthcare solutions while maintaining cost effectiveness and scalability.

Does data show how digital therapeutics can slow disease progression and foster faster recovery?

Yes, there is compelling evidence demonstrating the impact of digital therapeutics (DTx) on disease progression and recovery rates. In diabetes management, for instance, studies have shown that FDA cleared digital therapeutics like BlueStar have helped reduce HbA1c levels by 1.7 to 2.0 percentage points. To put this in perspective, oral antidiabetic medicines typically achieve a 0.5 to 1.2 percentage point reduction.

Unlike traditional therapeutics, DTx platforms can continuously monitor patient progress and adjust interventions accordingly. We are seeing recovery times improve when personalised digital interventions are implemented.

The potential of AI and machine learning lies in predicting disease progression patterns. Early warning systems could potentially prevent acute episodes before they occur, offering a hopeful future for healthcare.

While these results are promising, it’s important to note that digital therapeutics work best as part of a comprehensive treatment approach. They’re not replacing traditional therapeutics but rather enhancing their effectiveness through better engagement, monitoring, and personalisation.

How does Lupin plan to further aid the cause of awareness and prevention of heart diseases among women in India?

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the leading cause of death among Indian women. What’s particularly concerning is that most of these cases go undiagnosed or are detected too late. Our strategy combines the on ground programs and digital initiatives to ensure we reach out to women of all ages across urban and semi-urban areas.

We’re also investing in research to understand India specific risk factors for women’s heart health. Heart disease is the leading cause of death among women, accounting for almost 40 per cent of all female deaths in India, and cultural barriers often prevent them from prioritising their health.

Despite the challenges, including cultural barriers, we are committed to improving cardiac awareness and prevention through ongoing persistent efforts and community engagement, thereby fostering a healthier future for all.

References

1. The Case of Coronary Artery Disease in Indian Women – Indian Journal of Cardiovascular Disease in Women
2. https://www.theheart.org/en/news/2018/01/31/women-at-risk-for-heart-disease-often-dont-know-it
3. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/heart-disease/in-depth/heart-disease/art-20046167#:~:text=Check%20with%20your%20doctor%20about,the%20need%20for%20more%20tests.
4. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6020006/#:~:text=American%20Heart%20Association%20(AHA)%20CVD,CVD%20in%202016%20(Exhibit.
5. https://www.goedf.org/about-heart-disease-in-women#:~:text=Cardiovascular%20disease%20(CVD)%20claims,women%20for%2050%20years%20running.
6. https://www.goedf.org/about-heart-disease-in-women#:~:text=and%20that%20AHA%20Learning%20Center,women%20about%20mortality%20rates.
7. https://www.cdc.gov/heartdisease/women.htm

This interview was first published in the Express Healthcare magazine, Vol 18, No. 2, March 2025