NEW estimates show that cardiovascular disease burden continues to lead worldwide deaths and disability, with sharp increases in cases, deaths, and disability-adjusted life years, highlighting a persistent global challenge shaped by shifting demographics and modifiable risks.
Population Change and Modifiable Risks Drive Cardiovascular Disease Burden
Understanding what fuels the cardiovascular disease burden has become increasingly important for health systems, particularly as nations face rapid population ageing and growing exposure to metabolic risks. Cardiovascular diseases remain the leading cause of mortality worldwide, and despite advances in prevention, the burden has continued to climb since 1990. Researchers note that changes in lifestyle, urbanisation, and economic transition have contributed to rising exposures to harmful risk factors, while population growth has further magnified the scale of the problem.
Global Burden of Disease Findings Across 204 Countries
The Global Burden of Disease 2023 study analysed data from 204 countries and territories to quantify cardiovascular disease burden and its drivers from 1990 to 2023. Cardiovascular diseases were the leading cause of disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) and deaths. In 2023, there were 437 million (95% UI: 401 to 465 million) CVD DALYs, up from 320 million (292 to 344 million) in 1990. Deaths increased from 13.1 million (95% UI: 12.2 to 14.0 million) in 1990 to 19.2 million (95% UI: 17.4 to 20.4 million) in 2023. Prevalent cases more than doubled, rising from 311 million (95% UI: 294 to 333 million) in 1990 to 626 million (95% UI: 591 to 672 million) in 2023. A total of 79.6 percent of cardiovascular disease burden was attributable to modifiable risk factors, particularly high systolic blood pressure, dietary risks, high low density lipoprotein cholesterol, and air pollution. Population growth added 128 million DALYs and population ageing added 139 million DALYs to the increase since 1990.
Clinical Implications and Future Directions for Reducing Global Burden
For clinical practice, the findings reinforce the central role of aggressive risk factor control. Strategies to reduce high blood pressure, improve diets, increase physical activity, and manage metabolic disorders could significantly lessen the cardiovascular disease burden. As most risk factors are modifiable, targeted prevention offers substantial opportunity to reverse current trends.
Reference
Global Burden of Cardiovascular Diseases and Risks 2023 Collaborators. Global, regional, and national burden of cardiovascular diseases and risk factors in 204 countries and territories, 1990-2023. Journal of the American College of Cardiology. 2025;86:22.
