Global Burden of CVDs and Risk Factors 1990-2023

Data from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2023 study showed that cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) remain the leading cause of death and disability worldwide, with their burden continuing to rise since 1990 due to population growth, aging, and changing exposures to harmful risk factors. The GBD study covered 204 countries and territories, and indicated that CVDs accounted for 437 million disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) and 19.2 million deaths in 2023, both substantial increases from 1990. The number of people living with CVD more than doubled over this period, reaching 626 million cases globally. Ischemic heart disease, intracerebral hemorrhage, ischemic stroke, and hypertensive heart disease were the top contributors to CVD burden, with the highest age-standardized DALY rates found in low and low-middle Socio-demographic Index regions. Nearly 80% of the global CVD burden was linked to modifiable risk factors, primarily high blood pressure, unhealthy diets, high LDL cholesterol, and air pollution, while rising rates of obesity, high blood glucose, and low physical activity further exacerbated the problem despite declines in tobacco use. The study concludes that the decades-long increase in CVD burden has been driven by metabolic risks, demographic shifts, and insufficient control of known risk factors, highlighting the urgent need for stronger health system and public health strategies to achieve global targets in reducing CVD. Source: https://www.jacc.org/