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A new Global Burden of Disease (GBD) special report, published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, has unveiled distressing statistics, emphasizing the urgent need for immediate action to create a heart-healthy world. The report analyzed health estimates spanning from 1990 to 2022, detailing the global, regional, and national burden and trends of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and its associated risk factors across 21 global regions.
The findings painted a concerning picture, revealing that millions of lives are prematurely lost each year due to cardiovascular disease. High blood pressure, elevated cholesterol levels, dietary risks, and air pollution emerged as the primary culprits contributing to the soaring cases of CVD.
Asia, Europe, Africa, and the Middle East reported the highest burden of CVD mortality, highlighting the widespread impact of this disease across continents.
Gregory A. Roth, Associate Professor in the Division of Cardiology at the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation at the University of Washington, expressed deep concern, emphasizing that cardiovascular diseases result in a staggering number of preventable deaths. He underscored the availability of inexpensive yet effective treatments, identifying clear risk factors that require identification and treatment, and emphasizing the importance of simple, healthy lifestyle choices in improving overall health.
Ischemic heart disease retained its position as the leading cause of global CVD mortality, followed by intracerebral hemorrhage and ischemic stroke. High systolic blood pressure emerged as the primary contributor to age-standardized CVD disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) globally.
The report highlighted dietary risks as the predominant contributor among behavioral risks, while ambient particulate matter pollution led among environmental risks.
Shockingly, global death counts attributed to CVD surged from 12.4 million in 1990 to 19.8 million in 2022, revealing a significant increase due to global population growth, aging, and the impact of preventable metabolic, environmental, and behavioral risk factors.
The report’s comprehensive data underscores the critical need for immediate and concerted efforts globally to address the underlying factors contributing to CVD. It emphasizes the urgency of implementing preventive measures, identifying and treating risk factors, and promoting healthy lifestyle choices to curb the devastating impact of cardiovascular diseases on global health.
