1 in 4 Indians at risk of heart disease as abnormal cholesterol rises among youth: Metropolis Study

New Delhi: Metropolis Healthcare Limited, led by Ameera Shah, has released findings from a nationwide analysis of 3.9 lakh lipid profile tests, revealing that one in four Indians has abnormal cholesterol levels, with low ‘good cholesterol’ (HDL) emerging as the most common risk factor.

The study shows that lipid abnormalities are no longer limited to older adults or those with obesity. Nearly 60% of tests were among individuals aged 31–60 years, where cholesterol and triglyceride abnormalities were notably high. Alarmingly, risks are now surfacing much earlier: over one in three young adults (19–30 years) already show low HDL, and 17% present borderline high cholesterol, signalling that India’s heart health crisis begins as early as the 20s.

Overall, 35% of individuals had low HDL, 30% elevated cholesterol, 33% abnormal triglycerides, 24% borderline or high non-HDL cholesterol, and 25% borderline to very high LDL cholesterol. Many of these abnormalities were independent of obesity, pointing instead to diet, sedentary behaviour, stress, and poor lifestyle choices as major drivers of cardiovascular risk.

To address this challenge, Metropolis has launched the ‘Healthy Heart Meter’ campaign, featuring a simple five-question survey to assess cardiovascular risk. Based on responses, participants are classified as Low, Medium, or High Risk, with corresponding recommendations ranging from a basic lipid profile test to the more comprehensive TruHealth Vital Package for detailed evaluation.

The survey is available here.

Commenting on the findings, Surendran Chemmenkotil, Managing Director, Metropolis Healthcare Limited, said: “At Metropolis Healthcare, we are committed to advancing early detection and proactive management of chronic health conditions. Increasing public awareness and understanding of cardiovascular risks can significantly improve early diagnosis, help prevent severe outcomes, and ultimately save lives. By analysing in-house data and designing initiatives like the ‘Healthy Heart Meter’, we aim to empower individuals with actionable insights into their heart health and encourage timely diagnostic interventions. This reflects our unwavering commitment to identifying risks early and enabling better health outcomes.”

Dr. Kirti Chadha, Chief Scientific and Innovation Officer, Metropolis Healthcare Limited, said: “Heart disease is no longer confined to older age. It has become one of India’s most persistent health challenges, with risks building silently across all age groups. The growing prevalence of lipid abnormalities in younger adults should serve as a wake-up call. What we need now is a shift in mindset — from treating heart attacks after they occur to preventing them through regular testing, lifestyle changes, and greater public awareness. Often, a simple lipid profile test can detect risks long before symptoms appear.”