A groundbreaking multicentre study has laid bare the staggering financial toll of heart failure (HF) on patients across India, revealing how out-of-pocket expenses push families into economic distress. Conducted by researchers from premier medical institutions, the survey of 1,859 patients underscores the urgent need for expanded health protection mechanisms in a country where cardiovascular diseases claim millions of lives annually.

🔬 The Rising Tide of Heart Failure in India

Heart failure occurs when the heart muscle weakens or stiffens, impairing its ability to pump blood effectively to meet the body's needs. In India, this condition affects an estimated 1.3 to 4.6 million people, leading to about 1.8 million hospitalizations each year. Unlike Western countries where hypertension dominates, India's HF landscape is marked by ischemic heart disease (caused by blocked arteries) in 74% of cases, dilated cardiomyopathy in 17%, and rheumatic heart disease—a legacy of untreated infections—in 3.4%. The average patient age is around 56 years, strikingly younger than global averages, reflecting early-onset cardiovascular risks fueled by diabetes, hypertension, smoking, and urbanization.

Prevalence is climbing rapidly, with cardiovascular diseases accounting for nearly 20% of global heart attack deaths originating from India. Eastern regions bear the heaviest burden, exacerbated by lifestyle shifts, pollution, and genetic predispositions. Without intervention, projections suggest a doubling of HF cases by 2050, straining an already overburdened healthcare system.

📊 Inside the Multicentre Study: Design and Participants

Led by Dr. Panniyammakal Jeemon from the Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology (SCTIMST) in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, this cross-sectional survey enrolled consecutive HF patients from 21 tertiary hospitals spanning India's diverse regions—from low epidemiological transition areas in the northeast to high-transition urban centers. Data collection spanned September 2019 to December 2022, using validated questionnaires in 10 languages to capture clinical profiles, household economics, and expenditures converted to international dollars (INT$) via 2021 purchasing power parity (PPP) rates.

Of the 1,859 participants, 30% were women, 49% rural residents, and the mean education level was 11 years. Comorbidities like diabetes (37%) and hypertension (42%) were common, with 65% employed pre-diagnosis. This robust sample, powered to detect differences in out-of-pocket spending, offers a panoramic view of HF's socioeconomic ripple effects.

💰 Out-of-Pocket Expenses: The Crushing Reality

The study's core revelation: average annual out-of-pocket (OOP) spending reached INR 1,06,566 (about INT$ 4,709), comprising a whopping 92.6% of total health costs. A single hospitalization averaged INR 1.19 lakh (INT$ 5,257), with medians at INR 49,600. Patients funded this through personal savings (68%), family aid (54%), or loans from relatives (15%). For the uninsured—70% of cases—OOP soared to 98% of costs.

These figures dwarf household capacities, especially in lower-income brackets where HF strikes breadwinners, halting productivity.

⚠️ Catastrophic Spending and Distress Financing Exposed

Catastrophic health spending (CHS)—OOP exceeding 40% of non-subsistence household income—affected 37.7% of families. Distress financing (DF), including borrowing or asset sales, hit 17.7%. Notably, 3.8% sold homes, land, or valuables (4.9% uninsured vs. 1.3% insured), amplifying long-term poverty. Post-diagnosis, 32% of patients and 36% of households saw income drops, often due to lost wages or caregiving demands.

• Factors raising CHS risk: Rural residence, NYHA class III/IV severity, unemployment.
• Insurance buffers: Reduced CHS by 10% points, DF by 5%.

🛡️ Insurance Coverage: A Partial Shield

Only 32% had insurance—social schemes like PMJAY (Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana) or private plans. Insured patients enjoyed lower OOP (59-74% vs. 98%), but coverage gaps persist: PMJAY caps inpatient care at INR 5 lakh/family/year, excluding outpatient drugs and follow-ups critical for chronic HF management. Experts note insurance halves asset sales risk.Access the full peer-reviewed study here.

🏥 Ayushman Bharat's Role and Limitations

PMJAY, India's flagship scheme, covers HF procedures like angioplasties and device implants, topping cardiology claims at over INR 4,000 crore in 2023. Yet, as Prof. Sivadasanpillai Harikrishnan emphasizes, outpatient exclusions leave 90%+ OOP for meds. Extending to follow-ups and guideline-directed therapies (GDMT) like beta-blockers could slash costs 30-40%, boosting adherence and survival.

👥 Voices from the Frontlines: Expert Insights

"Heart failure isn’t just a heart killer; it’s a household impoverisher," warns lead author Dr. Jeemon. Principal investigator Prof. Harikrishnan advocates free primary care drugs and EML inclusion for GDMT. Cardiologists from PGIMER Chandigarh and SGPGI Lucknow echo calls for universal coverage, prevention via risk factor control, and telemedicine to cut travel costs.

📖 Real-World Impacts: Patient Stories

Consider Rajesh, a 52-year-old Ludhiana factory worker (inspired by DMCH data): Post-HF diagnosis, repeated admissions drained savings; uninsured, his family sold farmland, plunging into debt. Contrast with PMJAY beneficiary Lakshmi from Shillong: Inpatient coverage eased burden, but monthly meds strained her pension. These vignettes highlight adherence drops (18% skip doses due to cost), worsening prognosis.

🔮 Future Outlook and Actionable Solutions

• Policy Expansion: Include outpatient GDMT in PMJAY/ESIC; subsidize devices.
• Prevention Focus: Community screening for diabetes/hypertension; lifestyle programs.
• Research Boost: ICMR registries like CARE-HF to track trends.
• Equity Measures: Rural tele-HF clinics; financial counseling.

Integrating these could avert impoverishment for millions, aligning with Viksit Bharat's health goals. For deeper dive, explore the Indian Express coverage.

By addressing HF's financial catastrophe through evidence-based reforms, India can safeguard patient lives and livelihoods.

Photo by Olga Kovalski on Unsplash