Int J Womens Health. 2026 Jun 10;18:606168. doi: 10.2147/IJWH.S606168. eCollection 2026.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) continues to be the leading cause of death among women of childbearing age (WCBA) worldwide. An updated, geographically detailed assessment of CVD and its subtype burdens in this population is warranted.
MATERIAL AND METHODS: This study utilized the data from GBD 2021 to assess the incidence and mortality of CVD among WCBA across 231 countries and regions from 1990 to 2021. Age-standardised rates (ASRs) and estimated annual percentage changes (EAPCs) were used to assess trends in disease burden from 1990 to 2021. Sociodemographic-index (SDI)-associated disparities were explored using smoothed regression and correlation analysis. Predictions to 2050 were performed using Bayesian age-period-cohort (BAPC) modeling to support forward-looking public health planning.
RESULTS: From 1990 to 2021, incident cases and deaths of CVD among WCBA increased from 2.77 million and 0.38 million to 4.49 million and 0.42 million, respectively, despite modest declines in ASR of incidence (ASIR, EAPC: -0.08%) and mortality (ASMR, EAPC: -1.59%). In 2021, ischemic heart disease (IHD) has the highest ASIR (67.53 per 100,000) and ASMR (8.64 per 100,000), and showed the fastest increase in ASIR over time. Marked sociodemographic disparities were observed, with low-SDI regions consistently experiencing higher ASIR (276.61 per 100,000) and ASMR (28.59 per 100,000) of CVD in 2021. Decomposition analysis indicated that population growth was the primary driver of the global increase in both CVD cases and mortality, while population ageing played a greater role in higher-SDI regions, with epidemiological changes partially offsetting mortality increases. Predictions suggest that while ASIR will continue to rise, ASMR is expected to further decline.
CONCLUSION: The global burden of CVD among WCBA remains substantial, with rising incidence in key subtypes such as IHD and persistent disparities across SDI regions, underscoring the need for targeted, subtype-specific prevention strategies and strengthened healthcare systems in high-burden settings.
PMID:42299356 | PMC:PMC13264983 | DOI:10.2147/IJWH.S606168