Linkages between Hypertension and Coronary Heart Disease in India: Evidence from India Human Development Survey-2 (2011–2012)

BACKGROUND: Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the leading causes of death globally (nearly 17.5 million deaths/year). Hypertension and coronary heart disease (CHD) are two of the most important CVDs. There is a dearth of studies at a large scale in India to ascertain the factors as well as social differentials in the prevalence of heart disease associated with hypertension. This paper attempts to bridge the gap in the relevant area. METHODOLOGY: Secondary analysis of the data obtained from India Human Development Survey (IHDS), conducted in two rounds in 2004–2005 and 2011–2012, was done (n = 147,201). Bivariate and logistic regression analyses have been used. RESULTS: In India, the prevalence for CHD is 1.1% for 2011–2012. Findings showed that persons with hypertension are 11 times (odds ratio [OR] = 11.58, P < 0.01) more likely to be affected by CHD among adults (15 and above years) as compared to nonhypertensive adults. When the odds are adjusted for socioeconomic and demographic variables, hypertensives are found to be 5 times more likely (OR = 5.096, P < 0.01) to be having CHD as compared to nonhypertensives. CONCLUSIONS: The unadjusted odds of suffering from CHD when hypertension is a predictor are much higher than when the odds are adjusted for socioeconomic and demographic variables. Along with hypertension, age, education, and place of residence have also been found to be important determinants of CHD.