Incidence Trends and Eight Risk Factors of Ischemic Heart Disease and Stroke: Study Finds - Video

Incidence of stroke and ischemic heart disease are declining around the world, except for in a handful of regions, according to research in the open access journal PLOS Global Public Health. Authors find that in East and West Sub-Saharan Africa, East and Central Asia and Oceania, ischemic heart disease is increasing, which may be attributed to eight factors that include diet, high BMI, household air pollution and more.

The team analyzed global data from 1990-2019 for incidence of ischemic heart disease and stroke and for exposure to 87 potential attributable factors. The authors describe the incidences and trends at a global, regional and national level, and find higher rates of ischemic heart disease than stroke. Over three decades ischemic heart disease reduced from 316 to 262 per 100,000 people and stroke declined from 181 to 151 per 100,000.

The increases of ischemic heart disease seen in some regions may be associated with the shifting distribution of eight factors: a diet high in trans-fatty acids; diet low in calcium; high BMI; household air pollution from solid fuels; non-exclusive breastfeeding; occupational ergonomic factors; vitamin A deficiency; and, occupational exposure to particulate matter, gases and fumes, which were determined by the World Bank income levels.

The results indicate how the potential socioeconomic development of some countries is affecting rates of cardiovascular disease and stroke, and that places experiencing rapid economic transitions – and rapidly changing lifestyle changes – may also be experiencing higher rates of disease. This study provides insight into mechanisms involved and the potential for targeted interventions.

Reference: Xia R, Cai M, Wang Z, Liu X, Pei J, Zaid M, et al. (2024) Incidence trends and specific risk factors of ischemic heart disease and stroke: An ecological analysis based on the Global Burden of Disease 2019. PLOS Glob Public Health 4(11): e0003920. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pgph.0003920