Cardiovascular disease in Latin America: the growing epidemic

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Epidemiology
• Cardiology

Background:

• Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are the primary cause of mortality in Latin America, accounting for nearly one million deaths annually.
• A significant increase in CVD-related deaths is projected for the region in the coming years.
• This epidemiological shift is linked to demographic, economic, and social transformations in Latin America.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze the current burden and trends of cardiovascular diseases in Latin America.
• To identify the primary drivers of the increasing CVD mortality in the region.
• To highlight the changing landscape of CVD, with a focus on coronary heart disease and stroke.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of mortality data for cardiovascular diseases in Latin America.
• Epidemiological assessment of disease burden and trends.
• Identification of socioeconomic and lifestyle factors influencing CVD prevalence.

Main Results:

• Coronary heart disease and stroke are the leading causes of CVD mortality, responsible for 42.5% and 28.8% respectively.
• Chagas heart disease and rheumatic heart disease now contribute only 1% each to CVD mortality.
• Improvements in socioeconomic status, increased life expectancy, and a high prevalence of atherosclerosis risk factors are key determinants.

Conclusions:

• Cardiovascular diseases represent a major and growing public health challenge in Latin America.
• The epidemiological profile of CVD has shifted, with ischemic heart disease and stroke becoming dominant.
• Addressing socioeconomic factors and atherosclerosis risk is crucial for mitigating the CVD epidemic in Latin America.