Global Trends in Mortality From Ischemic Heart Disease and the Expansion of Interventional Cardiology Procedures: An Analysis Using the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) Dataset

BACKGROUND: Ischemic heart disease (IHD) remains the leading cause of global mortality, with notable regional disparities reflecting differences in healthcare access, socioeconomic status, and interventional cardiology capacity. OBJECTIVE: To assess global and regional trends in ischemic heart disease (IHD) mortality from 2000 to 2021 using Global Burden of Disease (GBD) data across seven regions. METHODS: A descriptive analytical design was applied using age-standardized IHD mortality data extracted from the GBD database for the years 2000-2021. Regional averages and percentage changes were computed to examine temporal trends. RESULTS: A general decline in IHD mortality was observed globally, with the most pronounced reductions in Western and Eastern Europe, moderate declines in Latin America, East Asia, and globally overall, and minimal change in Sub-Saharan Africa. South Asia showed a slight increase. The variations closely align with differences in access to interventional cardiology services and preventive cardiovascular programs. CONCLUSION: Despite overall global improvement, persistent disparities highlight the need to strengthen interventional cardiology capacity and preventive care systems in low- and middle-income regions to achieve equitable cardiovascular outcomes.