Home / Health / India Faces Cardiac Tech Shortage Amid Rising Heart Disease
India Faces Cardiac Tech Shortage Amid Rising Heart Disease
12 Jul
Summary
- Heart disease burden is rising in India.
- Younger Indians (25-45) are increasingly affected by heart attacks.
- India requires 6,500 cath labs but has only 4,200.
Bengaluru Rural MP C.N. Manjunath highlighted on July 11, 2026, that India must increase its training of cardiovascular technologists to address the escalating burden of heart disease. These technologists are crucial for the success of cardiac diagnostic and interventional procedures.
Dr. Manjunath emphasized that cardiologists are the heart, but technologists are the brain of cardiac care. He also warned that heart attacks are increasingly affecting younger individuals between 25 and 45 years old, making early detection and treatment vital.
Furthermore, India's cardiac care infrastructure requires significant expansion. The country currently possesses approximately 4,200 catheterisation laboratories but necessitates around 6,500, particularly in Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities, to ensure broader access to specialized care.
To improve accessibility, Dr. Manjunath advocated for a Hub-and-Spoke model. This approach would allow advanced cardiac centers to support peripheral hospitals, establishing a robust referral network for timely treatment of patients in rural and remote areas.
