Heart disease remains the top cause of death worldwide, responsible for one in every three deaths, according to a new study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.
The number of global heart-related deaths rose from 13.1 million in 1990 to 19.2 million in 2023. Researchers noted that brain bleeds, strokes, and high blood pressure are also among the most common health threats linked to cardiovascular disease.
Dr. Harlan Krumholz, the journal’s editor and professor at Yale University School of Medicine, called the findings a warning:
“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.”
Study Scope and Key Findings
The study examined the burden of 375 diseases across 204 countries between 1990 and 2023. Researchers used disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) — a measure that combines years lost to early death and years lived with disability — to estimate the impact of heart disease.
Results showed that about 80% of heart-related DALYs stem from lifestyle-related risk factors. These included:
- Metabolic issues: High body mass index (BMI) and high blood sugar, responsible for 67% of DALYs.
- Behavioral risks: Smoking, alcohol use, and poor diet, accounting for 45%.
- Environmental factors: Air pollution, lead exposure, and higher temperatures, contributing 36%.
Gender and Age Disparities
The study revealed that men have higher death rates from heart disease than women in most regions, and risks increase sharply after age 50. In 2023, heart disease affected an estimated 240 million people globally, while peripheral artery disease impacted 122 million.
Researchers also found a 16-fold difference between countries with the highest and lowest heart disease DALYs, indicating vast geographic variation that cannot be explained by income levels alone.
A Call for Targeted Action
Senior researcher Dr. Gregory Roth, director of the Program in Cardiovascular Health Metrics at the University of Washington, said the results provide evidence for tailored interventions:
“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.”
He added that the findings give each country a clear roadmap for crafting policies that address the most pressing risks for their populations.
