Trend analysis of cardiovascular disease mortality in the population aged 65 and over in Poland: results from a registry study (2000-2022)

Background . To assess trends in cardiovascular mortality among people aged 65 years and older in Poland in the period 2000–2022. Methods . Mortality rates for women and men were analysed separately in two groups: early old age (65–74 years) and late old age (75+). The analysis of time trends has been carried out with joinpoint models. The Annual Percentage Change (APC) and the Average Annual Percentage Change (AAPC) and standardized death rates (SDRs) were calculated. Results . In 2000, cardiovascular diseases (CVD) were responsible for 45.6% of deaths in men in early old age (65–74 years) and for 56.2% of deaths in men in late old age (75 years or older). In the female group, these values were 48.4% and 63.3%, respectively. In 2022, the proportion of deaths due to cardiovascular diseases decreased in all groups respectively to 31.7%, 39.7%, 26.6% and 47.4%. SDRs also decreased: from 2069.8 to 1109.4 per 100,000 among men aged 65–74; from 7928.6 to 4326.7 per 100,000 among men 75+. Among women in early and late olde age rates decreased respectively from 1027.3 to 427.3 and from 6452.0 to 3631.1 per 100,000. Conclusions. CVD still represents a significant health risk, particularly in the oldest people.