India's Silent Cholesterol Crisis: 9 In 10 Indian Adults Have Abnormal Blood Lipids, Says Study

Published 19 July 2026 · health

India's Silent Cholesterol Crisis: 9 In 10 Indian Adults Have Abnormal Blood Lipids, Says Study Published By, Last Updated: July 19, 2026, 08:59 IST Nearly

India's Silent Cholesterol Crisis: 9 In 10 Indian Adults Have Abnormal Blood Lipids, Says Study Published By, Last Updated: July 19, 2026, 08:59 IST Nearly 90% of Indian adults have at least one abnormal blood lipid, according to an ICMR study, highlighting a silent risk factor for heart disease and stroke. Rapid Read An ICMR study found nearly 90% of Indian adults have abnormal blood lipids. A nationwide study has found that nearly nine out of every 10 Indian adults have at least one abnormal blood lipid level, underlining the country’s growing burden of cardiovascular risk factors. The findings come from the ICMR-INDIAB study, one of India’s largest health surveys, which examined data from 23,665 adults across different regions. Researchers said dyslipidemia an imbalance of cholesterol or triglycerides in the blood has become highly prevalent, even though it often goes unnoticed because it usually does not cause symptoms in its early stages. Why It Matters Doctors warn that abnormal cholesterol levels may not produce any immediate signs, but they can gradually damage blood vessels by allowing fatty deposits to build up inside arteries. Over time, these deposits can block blood flow or rupture, increasing the likelihood of heart attacks and strokes.

Experts say timely diagnosis through routine lipid profile tests, along with healthier eating habits, regular physical activity and medication where necessary, can significantly reduce these risks. Low ‘Good’ Cholesterol Most Common Finding The study found that low levels of HDL, commonly known as “good cholesterol", were the most widespread abnormality, affecting 66.8% of participants. Nearly half of those surveyed (49.4%) had elevated LDL, or “bad cholesterol", while 29.5% showed high triglyceride levels. Researchers noted that multiple lipid abnormalities frequently occurred together rather than in isolation. Women And People With Metabolic Disorders At Greater Risk According to the findings, abnormal lipid levels were more common among women, urban residents and people living in Central India. The burden was also significantly higher among individuals with diabetes or prediabetes, obesity and hypertension, suggesting that cholesterol disorders often coexist with other metabolic conditions. Regional Differences Seen Across India Central India recorded the highest prevalence of dyslipidemia at around 89.1%, while the North-East reported the lowest prevalence at approximately 85.3%. Despite these regional differences, researchers noted that even the region with the lowest prevalence had more than eight in every 10 adults with at least one abnormal blood lipid, indicating that the condition is widespread across the country.