CVD responsible for 1 in 3 deaths around the world
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains the world’s leading cause of death, according to a new special report from the American College of Cardiology (ACC). In fact, CVDs are responsible for one in three deaths around the world.
According to the updated Global Burden of Disease Study, published in full in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology (JACC), this ongoing trend is driven by a population that keeps growing and getting older.[1] In addition, obesity and diabetes are both on the rise in many parts of the world, increasing the number of individuals who will face an increased risk of poor cardiovascular health.
One of the key takeaways from this document is the fact that CVD is a much bigger problem in certain parts of the world—and not just because of economic factors. Air pollution, lead exposure and higher temperatures are other risk factors contributing to this worrisome trend.
“This report is a wake-up call: heart disease remains the world’s leading cause of death, and the burden is rising fastest in places least equipped to bear it,” Harlan Krumholz, JACC editor-in-chief and Harold H. Hines Jr., Professor of Medicine at Yale University School of Medicine, said in a statement. "The good news is we know the risks and how to address them; if countries act now with effective health policies and systems, millions of lives can be saved.”
Other important findings from the report include:
- The number of CVD-related deaths around the world increased from 13.1 million in 1990 to 19.2 million in 2023.
- Cardiovascular mortality is higher among men in most parts of the world, especially after the age of 50.
- High BMI and high fasting plasma glucose are the two fastest-growing metabolic contributors to this trend from 2018 to 2023, “mirroring global trends in obesity and diabetes.”
- Lead exposure is a significant issue in Central Asia and North Africa. Air pollution, linked to contributing to nearly 4 million cardiovascular deaths in 2023 alone, is a major concern in many parts of the world, including Oceania.
- Tobacco, unhealthy eating habits, low physical activity and high alcohol consumption are all key reasons for the rising CVD rates all over the world.
“This research provides countries with a clear view of where progress is being made and where urgent action is needed,” senior author Gregory A. Roth, MD, MPH, a professor in the division of cardiology at the University of Washington School of Medicine, said in the same statement. “By targeting the most important and preventable risks, with effective policies and proven, cost-effective treatments, we can work to reduce premature mortality from non-communicable diseases. Each country can find reliable evidence and a kind of policy prescription for better cardiovascular health in our results.”
The special report includes data from more than 200 countries and territories. Click here for additional information.
Michael has more than 19 years of experience as a professional writer and editor. He has written at length about cardiology, radiology, artificial intelligence and other key healthcare topics.