Concluding his talk, Dr. Jain reinforced the importance of comprehensive risk management, stating that achieving and maintaining lower LDLC levels is critical to reducing cardiovascular mortality. “The sooner we lower LDLC and sustain it, the more lives we can save,” he said.In a compelling presentation, Dr. Rishi Jain, Country Medical Head at Novartis India, at BEAT 2025: National Cardiovascular Summit and Awards, highlighted the urgent need to address cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), the leading cause of death globally. Speaking at a recent session, Dr. Jain emphasized that while cancers often receive more public attention, cardiovascular disorders claim significantly more lives, with an estimated 34 deaths every minute due to heart attacks and strokes worldwide.
Dr. Jain noted that in India, the situation is particularly alarming as patients experience heart attacks and strokes almost a decade earlier than in other populations, often with more severe outcomes. According to him, 54.5 million Indians are affected by cardiovascular disease, contributing to 25% of all deaths in the country.
A major concern, Dr. Jain stressed, is the widespread lack of awareness, especially regarding LDL cholesterol (LDLC), a key modifiable risk factor. Surveys indicate that many patients, even after experiencing heart attacks or strokes, remain unaware of their LDLC levels and targets. “80% of Indian ASCVD patients are unable to reach their target LDLC goal,” he said, citing adherence to therapy as a major challenge.
Dr. Jain advocated for a dual focus on early intervention and sustained management of risk factors. Highlighting recent innovations, he pointed to a six-month injectable therapy by Novartis that helps patients maintain LDL cholesterol reduction, addressing adherence issues effectively.
Concluding his talk, Dr. Jain reinforced the importance of comprehensive risk management, stating that achieving and maintaining lower LDLC levels is critical to reducing cardiovascular mortality. “The sooner we lower LDLC and sustain it, the more lives we can save,” he said.