The burden of Cardiovascular diseases in Jordan: a longitudinal analysis from the global burden of disease study,...

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Epidemiology
• Cardiology

Background:

• Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the primary cause of global mortality.
• The Arab world, including Jordan, faces significant under-researching in health, with a noted increase in CVD burden.
• Jordan's unique demographics and healthcare system make it a relevant case study for regional health challenges.

Purpose of the Study:

• To quantify the burden of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) in Jordan.
• To identify key risk factors contributing to CVDs in the Jordanian population.
• To inform public health strategies for CVD prevention and management in the Arab region.

Main Methods:

• Utilized the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) dataset for estimations from 1990 to 2019.
• Calculated age-standardized rates for CVD prevalence, mortality, and disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs).
• Analyzed trends by gender and age, and reported on twelve key risk factors for CVDs.

Main Results:

• In 2019, age-standardized CVD rates in Jordan were: prevalence 7980, deaths 248, and DALYs 4647 per 100,000 population.
• Between 1990 and 2019, age-standardized CVD rates decreased significantly (prevalence by 5.5%, deaths by 45.1%, DALYs by 46.7%).
• Leading risk factors for CVDs in 2019 included high systolic blood pressure, high BMI, poor diet, and high LDL cholesterol.

Conclusions:

• CVDs remain the leading cause of mortality in Jordan, with increasing absolute numbers despite decreasing age-standardized rates.
• The rising prevalence and mortality contribute to escalating healthcare costs.
• Tailored intervention measures and policies are crucial for reducing the CVD burden in Jordan.