AHA: Obesity-Linked Ischemic Heart Disease Mortality Increasing in U.S.
WEDNESDAY, Nov. 13, 2024 -- In the United States, obesity-related ischemic heart disease (IHD) mortality is increasing, with the highest rates seen among men, Blacks, and those in the Midwest, according to a study presented at the American Heart Association Scientific Sessions 2024, held from Nov. 16 to 18 in Chicago.
Using data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Wide-Ranging Online Data for Epidemiological Research database, Aleenah Mohsin, M.D., M.B.B.S., from Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island, and colleagues examined trends in obesity-related IHD mortality in the United States from 1999 to 2020, paying particular attention to racial, local, regional, age, and gender differences in these trends.
The researchers identified 226,267 deaths due to obesity-related IHD from 1999 to 2020. During the study period, there was a uniform increase in the age-adjusted mortality rate (AAMR), with an average annual percentage change (AAPC) of 5.03. Men had a higher AAMR than women overall (3.9 versus 2.2). Men also had a more prominent incline in mortality rates (AAPC, 5.11), especially those men aged 55 to 64 years (AAMR, 8.5). The highest age-adjusted mortality was seen among Black patients (3.93 deaths per 100,000 people). Significant geographical differences were noted, with the highest mortality seen in Midwestern states (AAMR, 3.3); specifically, Vermont had the highest and Alabama the lowest AAMR (10.4 and 1.5, respectively). Compared with metropolitan areas, nonmetropolitan areas had higher AAMRs (4.0 versus 2.9).
"Our findings underscore the need to explore the underlying causes of these disparities, such as differences in health care access, socioeconomic factors and regional health policies," Mohsin said in a statement.
Disclaimer: Statistical data in medical articles provide general trends and do not pertain to individuals. Individual factors can vary greatly. Always seek personalized medical advice for individual healthcare decisions.

© 2025 HealthDay. All rights reserved.
Read this next
Elevated BP at Age 7 Years Linked to Premature CVD Mortality
FRIDAY, Sept. 12, 2025 -- Higher blood pressure (BP) at age 7 years is associated with an increased risk for premature cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality, according to a study...
Hurricane Sandy Tied to Higher Heart Disease Risk
THURSDAY, Sept. 11, 2025 -- Older adults living in flood-hit areas after Hurricane Sandy faced a 5 percent higher risk for heart disease for up to five years after landfall...
Poor Cardiovascular-Kidney-Metabolic Health Increases Psoriasis Risk
WEDNESDAY, Sept. 10, 2025 -- Poor cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic (CKM) health is associated with an increased risk for psoriasis, especially for those with high genetic risk...
More news resources
- FDA Medwatch Drug Alerts
- Daily MedNews
- News for Health Professionals
- New Drug Approvals
- New Drug Applications
- Drug Shortages
- Clinical Trial Results
- Generic Drug Approvals
Subscribe to our newsletter
Whatever your topic of interest, subscribe to our newsletters to get the best of Drugs.com in your inbox.