Nearly 90% of Indians have abnormal cholesterol levels: ICMR study

Nearly nine out of 10 Indian adults have abnormal cholesterol or fat levels in their blood, putting them at a higher risk of heart disease and stroke, according to a large national study by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR).

The findings, published in the Journal of Clinical Lipidology, is based on data from 23,665 participants in the nationwide ICMR-INDIAB study.

It shows that 87.3% of Indian adults have dyslipidemia, a condition in which levels of cholesterol or triglycerides are outside the healthy range.

Researchers found that the condition was more common among people living in urban areas, women, and residents of Central India. It was also more frequent in people with obesity, diabetes and high blood pressure.

The study found that the biggest contributor to dyslipidemia in India was low levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL), often called the "good" cholesterol because it helps remove excess cholesterol from the blood.

Around 66.8% of participants had low HDL cholesterol, making it the most common lipid abnormality. This was followed by high LDL ("bad") cholesterol, high triglycerides and high total cholesterol.

Researchers noted that dyslipidemia was linked to younger age, female sex, a sedentary lifestyle, obesity,



hypertension and diabetes.

The researchers found that cholesterol problems became more common as blood sugar levels worsened, body weight increased and blood pressure rose.

However, they also found that around 40% of people who did not have diabetes, obesity or hypertension still had dyslipidemia, suggesting that unhealthy cholesterol levels are not limited to people with known metabolic conditions.

The findings indicate that many Indians who appear otherwise healthy could still be at increased risk of cardiovascular disease.

The study analysed fasting blood samples collected from 23,665 adults aged 20 years and above, selected from a nationally representative survey covering all Indian states and Union Territories. The larger ICMR-INDIAB study included more than 1.21 lakh participants.

Based on the findings, the researchers said dyslipidemia has become highly prevalent among Indian adults, particularly among younger people and those with diabetes, obesity and hypertension.

At the same time, the large number of metabolically healthy people with abnormal lipid levels highlights the need for broader cholesterol screening.

It also suggests earlier preventive measures to reduce the country's growing burden of heart disease and stroke.