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Cardiovascular disease in the Americas: the epidemiology of cardiovascular disease and its risk factors
Philip Joseph1,2, Fernando Lanas3, Greg Roth4
1Population Health Research Institute, McMaster University and Hamilton Health Sciences, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.
Insights
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) incidence is decreasing in the Americas, but rising cases and deaths are linked to population growth. Improved implementation of prevention strategies is crucial for managing this growing public health challenge.
Area of Science:
- Epidemiology
- Public Health
- Cardiology
Background:
- Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains a significant global health concern.
- The Americas region faces a complex epidemiological transition in CVD.
- Understanding regional trends is vital for effective public health interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To summarize the epidemiology of CVD in the Americas.
- To review population-level prevention strategies for CVD.
- To analyze trends in CVD risk factors across the region.
Main Methods:
- Review of epidemiological data on CVD incidence and mortality.
- Analysis of trends in key cardiovascular risk factors.
- Assessment of implemented population-wide prevention strategies.
Main Results:
- Age-standardized CVD incidence and mortality rates have declined since 1990.
- However, the absolute number of CVD cases and deaths has increased due to population aging and growth.
- CVD burden is shifting from high-income North America to middle-income Latin America and the Caribbean.
- Risk factor trends are mixed: declining smoking and cholesterol but rising obesity and diabetes.
- Prevention strategies show varying success rates.
Conclusions:
- Despite decreasing rates, the overall CVD burden is increasing in the Americas.
- A significant epidemiological shift is occurring within the region.
- Enhanced implementation of existing CVD prevention strategies is urgently needed.
Abstract:
This first article of the Series about Cardiovascular Disease in the Americas summarizes the epidemiology of CVD and its risk factors, and population-level strategies in place aimed at CVD prevention. While age-standardized CVD incidence and CV mortality rates have been decreasing across in the Americas since 1990, the annual number of CVD cases and related deaths have increased due to population growth and ageing. The burden of CVD is also slowly transitioning from high-income countries in North America to middle-income countries in Latin America and the Caribbean. Trends in CV risk factor levels have been mixed, with declines in smoking and mean cholesterol counterbalanced by higher prevalence of obesity and diabetes. Population-wide strategies aimed at controlling cardiometabolic risk factors and tobacco use have been implemented with varying degrees of success. There is a need to better implement existing CVD prevention strategies in the region.
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