Temporal Trends in Incidence of Premature Cardiovascular Disease Over the Past 7 Decades: The Framingham Heart Study
Key result
The incidence of premature cardiovascular disease before age 65 decreased over 7 decades, with a 21.3% (95% CI 16.0-27.0%) decrease per decade in men and 18.2% (95% CI 12.0-24.0%) in women.
Why the study?
Premature onset of cardiovascular disease imposes a significant societal burden and challenges prevention efforts.
Population
14 464 Framingham Heart Study participants
Comparison
Incidence of premature CVD across 7 decades of observation from 1950 to 2019
Design
Cohort study
Follow-up
7 decades of observation (1950-2019)
Authors
Discussion
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Member takes
Implication
Declining premature CVD incidence in this cohort reinforces prevention focus; leaves open stroke burden and generalizability to diverse groups.
Study Design
Type
Cohort (n=14,464)
Structured PICO
P
Population
14,464 Framingham Heart Study participants observed over 7 decades (1950-2019) to evaluate trends in the incidence of premature cardiovascular disease.
O
Outcome
Incidence of premature CVD (before age 55, 60, or 65 years), defined as a composite of fatal or nonfatal coronary heart disease, stroke or transient ischemic attack, peripheral vascular disease, and heart failurecomposite
Main Result
Effect estimate: 21.3% decrease per decade (95% CI 16.0-27.0)
Absolute Event Rate: 4.69% vs 14.8%
The incidence of premature cardiovascular disease has significantly decreased over the past 70 years among White adults, though the relative contribution of stroke to premature CVD has increased.
Limitations
- Lack of racial and geographic diversity (predominantly White cohort)
- Lack of racial and geographic diversity (White adults in Framingham cohort)
Cite This Study
Vasan et al. (2022) conducted a cohort in Premature cardiovascular disease (n=14,464). Decade of observation (1950-2019) vs. Earlier decades (e.g., 1950-1959) was evaluated on Incidence of premature CVD (composite of fatal or nonfatal coronary heart disease, stroke or TIA, peripheral vascular disease, and heart failure) before age 65 years (21.3% decrease per decade, 95% CI 16.0-27.0). The incidence of premature cardiovascular disease before age 65 decreased over 7 decades, with a 21.3% (95% CI 16.0-27.0%) decrease per decade in men and 18.2% (95% CI 12.0-24.0%) in women.