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Global Trends in Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease
Lee Nedkoff1, Tom Briffa2, Dawit Zemedikun2
1Cardiovascular Epidemiology Research Centre, School of Population and Global Health, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, Western Australia, Australia; Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute, Darlinghurst, New South Wales, Australia.
Insights
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) burden is rising globally due to population growth and aging, despite declining age-standardized rates. Atherosclerotic CVD trends are heterogeneous, with increasing absolute numbers impacting health systems worldwide.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a leading global cause of death and disability.
- Atherosclerotic diseases, including ischemic heart disease (IHD) and stroke, are the primary drivers of CVD.
- Over 523 million individuals are affected by CVD worldwide.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review global trends in the burden of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (CVD).
- To analyze changes in CVD incidence, mortality, and prevalence.
- To focus on atherosclerotic conditions as key contributors to CVD.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of published studies.
- Analysis of regional and global CVD trends and burden.
- Specific focus on atherosclerotic CVD (ASCVD).
Main Results:
- Long-term declines in age-standardized CVD rates are observed.
- Population growth and aging are increasing the absolute number of CVD cases.
- Trends vary significantly across regions, with a relative increase in developing countries.
- COVID-19 pandemic caused short-term reductions in atherosclerotic CVD hospitalizations.
Conclusions:
- Declines in atherosclerotic CVD rates are attenuating, leading to an increasing absolute burden.
- This trend has significant implications for healthcare systems and resource allocation.
- The long-term impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on CVD trends remains uncertain.
Purpose:
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality, affecting over 523 million people globally. Atherosclerotic diseases, particularly ischemic heart disease (IHD) and stroke, are the primary mediators of CVD burden and trends, with half of CVD deaths attributed to IHD, and another quarter to ischemic stroke. The aim of this review was to provide an overview of world-wide trends in the burden of atherosclerotic CVD.
Methods:
A literature review of published studies reporting regional or global trends or burden of CVD was undertaken, with a specific focus on atherosclerotic-mediated CVDs.
Findings:
While long-term trends in age-standardized rates of CVD mortality and incidence indicate substantial declines in disease burden, the impact of population growth and ageing has contributed to a continued increase in the absolute number of people living with CVD. Additionally, when data are restricted to the most recent decade, there are indications that even declines in age-standardized CVD rates may have attenuated. Trends are also heterogeneous across countries and regions, with a relative increase in CVD burden in developing countries and differing trends within countries. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in substantial short-term reductions in hospitalization rates for major atherosclerotic CVDs including acute coronary syndromes and heart failure in some countries.
Implications:
Recent attenuation of declines in atherosclerotic CVDs with increasing absolute burden has significant implications for health systems and resource availability, with the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on longer-term trends in CVD yet to be clearly established.
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