A national perspective on cardiovascular diseases in Saudi Arabia

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are common chronic conditions that lead to morbidity and mortality worldwide. However, there are no recent national or regional reports about CVDs in Saudi Arabia. Therefore, this study aimed to estimate the national and regional prevalence rates of CVDs among the Saudi population.

This study used data from an ongoing household health survey conducted by the General Authority for Statistics in 2017. The survey sample comprised 24,012 homes that were determined to be a representative sample of the population and dispersed throughout the 13 administrative areas. A self-reported diagnosis of CVD was collected by asking subjects if they had been diagnosed by a physician.

The prevalence of CVDs among the Saudi population aged 15 years and older was 1.6% (n = 236,815). The prevalence is higher in males at 1.9% compared to females at 1.4%. Age is a significant factor, with a gradual increase in CVD prevalence until the age of 50, followed by a sharp rise. The prevalence among the age group (≥ 65 years) was the highest, recording 11% (n = 93,971), followed by the age group (60-64 years) which reached 6.5% (n = 31156.71), and the lowest prevalence was found in the age group (< 40 years) as 1.2% (n = 108,226). When considering regional differences, Makkah has the highest prevalence at 1.9% (n = 85,814), followed by Riyadh at 1.7% (n = 79,191). Conversely, Najran has the lowest prevalence at 0.76% (n = 332), with the Northern Border Region having the second lowest rate at 1,46% ( n = 4218) These findings underscore the importance of considering both demographic and regional factors in addressing and managing cardiovascular health in Saudi Arabia.

This study provides the most recent estimates of the national and regional prevalence rates of CVDs in Saudi Arabia. The findings suggest that CVDs are more common among older adults, males, and residents of the Makkah region. This information can be used to inform public health policies and interventions to reduce the burden of CVDs in Saudi Arabia.