Archive · 20 Jul 2026
ICMR Study: Dyslipidaemia Widespread Among Indian Adults
A big study in India found that almost nine out of ten adults have problems with their blood fats, which can cause heart disease.
This issue is not just in cities but also in villages.
Women are more affected than men.
The most common problem is low levels of good cholesterol.
Surprisingly, many young adults in India have this problem, unlike in Western countries where it usually affects older people.
Even people who think they are healthy might have these issues.
The study suggests that everyone, including young adults, should get their blood fat levels checked regularly.
Nearly 87.3% of Indian adults have dyslipidaemia, a condition with abnormal blood lipid levels.
The prevalence is high in both urban (89%) and rural (86.5%) areas.
Women are more affected (91.1%) than men (83.5%).
The most common abnormality is low levels of HDL or 'good' cholesterol (66.8%).
The highest prevalence is among adults aged 30 to 39, unlike in Western countries where it peaks between 50 and 60.
- Who
- Indian adults, both urban and rural
- What
- Prevalence of dyslipidaemia (abnormal blood lipid levels)
- When
- Study findings published in the Journal of Clinical Lipidology
- Where
- Across India
- Why
- To assess the widespread nature of dyslipidaemia and its risk factors
- Study Conducted By
- Indian Council of Medical Research–India Diabetes (ICMR-INDIAB)
- Sample Size
- 23,665 adults
- Prevalence Rate
- 87.3%
- Urban Prevalence
- 89%
- Rural Prevalence
- 86.5%
- Women Affected
- 91.1%
- Men Affected
- 83.5%
- Most Common Abnormality
- Low HDL (66.8%)
- Highest Prevalence Age Group
- 30 to 39
- Healthy Individuals with Abnormal Lipids
- 40%