Key result
Global HF prevalence climbs ~2.5% annually, with even faster growth observed in China.
Why the study?
Heart failure is a growing global health issue contributing to substantial disease burden and mortality, warranting an updated analysis of global and Chinese trends across age and sex.
Observational
Effect estimate: EAPC 2.50% (95% CI 1.97-3.03)
p-value: p=<0.05
The global burden of heart failure has significantly increased from 1990 to 2021, with a particularly rapid rise in China and among older males.
Rising HF prevalence may strain clinical resources; extends global burden estimates but leaves drivers open for prospective study.
BACKGROUND: Heart failure (HF) is a growing global health issue, contributing to significant disease burden and increased mortality. The Global Burden of Disease (GBD) study offers comprehensive data on HF trends by age, sex, and region. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to analyze trends in prevalence and years lived with disability (YLDs) of HF in China and globally from 1990 to 2021 based on GBD 2021 data. METHODS: A retrospective analysis using GBD 2021 data was conducted, covering HF burden in 204 countries from 1990 to 2021. Data were analyzed using Joinpoint regression and stratified by age and sex. RESULTS: Global HF prevalence increased from 25.43 million in 1990 to 55.50 million in 2021, with an estimated annual percentage change (EAPC) of 2.50%. YLDs rose from 2.42 million to 5.31 million. In China, the EAPC for HF prevalence was 3.18%, surpassing the global rate. Males exhibited higher HF burden than females, and the disease burden rose sharply in those aged 65 and older. CONCLUSION: Both global and Chinese HF burdens increased from 1990 to 2021, with China experiencing faster growth. Key public health recommendations include improving early screening, promoting lifestyle interventions, enhancing healthcare access, and integrating new therapies for heart failure.
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Kang et al. (2025) conducted an observational in Heart failure. Time (1990 to 2021) was evaluated on Estimated annual percentage change (EAPC) in global heart failure prevalence (EAPC 2.50%, 95% CI 1.97-3.03, p=<0.05). Global heart failure prevalence increased from 25.43 million in 1990 to 55.50 million in 2021 (EAPC 2.50%), with China experiencing an even faster growth rate (EAPC 3.18%).
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