Ischemic Heart Disease Mortality and Metabolic Risk Factors: A Global Analysis of Gender Disparities and Regional Variations (1980–2021)

The mortality rate and the number of deaths from ischemic heart disease (IHD) in developing regions have surpassed those in developed regions. Since 1980, the global number of IHD deaths, disability-adjusted life years (DALY), years of life lost (YLL), and years lived with disability (YLD) have significantly increased, particularly in regions with medium and high Social Development Index (SDI). Although the overall mortality rate has declined, developing countries, especially those in the medium SDI and low-medium SDI regions, are facing a greater burden of death. In the 1990s, while the number of IHD deaths increased, the socio-economic development level (SDI) also improved. However, over the past 30 years, the number of deaths in medium SDI regions, especially in China and Central Asia, has risen sharply, with these regions experiencing a faster increase in mortality rates. In contrast, the number of deaths in high SDI regions has steadily declined. The IHD mortality rate among men is generally higher than that of women, and the gender gap may continue to widen. Globally, the main risk factors for IHD deaths include high systolic blood pressure, high low-density lipoprotein (LDL), smoking, and high blood sugar. With improvements in health management in developed regions, deaths caused by metabolic risk factors have significantly declined. However, risk factors in developing countries, particularly in low-income and middle-income regions, remain significant. Air pollution, smoking, and other factors continue to be major health threats.