Key result
Obesity-associated cardiomyopathy mortality rose ~2-fold from 1999 to 2020.
Why the study?
Despite medical advances, the toll of obesity on cardiovascular disease remains deeply concerning, motivating an examination of national trends and demographic and geographic disparities in obesity-associated cardiomyopathy mortality from 1999 to 2020.
Observational (n=34,032)
Yes
Obesity-associated cardiomyopathy mortality in the US nearly doubled between 1999 and 2020, disproportionately affecting men, Non-Hispanic Black individuals, and rural populations.
Background Obesity is a well known major risk factor for cardiovascular disease, its effect on worsening hypertension, dyslipidemia, and insulin resistance leads to further increase in mortality. Despite medical advances, the toll of obesity on CV disease remains deeply concerning. This study uses national CDC WONDER data from 1999 to 2020 to explore how obesity related CV deaths have changed over time, and to find related demographic disparities. Purpose The purpose of this study is to examine national trends in obesity-associated cardiomyopathy mortality from 1999 to 2020 and to identify demographic and geographic disparities in mortality rates. The findings aim to inform targeted public health strategies to reduce obesity-related cardiovascular deaths. Method Using CDC WONDER data, we calculated AAMR per 1,000,000 for individuals aged 25 to 84 and 85+ who died from cardiomyopathy with obesity. Patient were identified by using ICD 10 codes for cardiomyopathies (I25.5, I42.0-I42.9) and obesity (E65-E68). Joinpoint regression analysis was used to estimate APC and AAPC from 1999 to 2020. Results From 1999 to 2020, the AAMR for obesity associated cardiomyopathy increased from 5.05 to 6.43 in 2004, fluctuated, then peaked at 10.76 in 2020 with AAPC 3.5 (95% CI: 3.2 to 3.8). 34,032 deaths were recorded in total. Men had higher AAMRs (9.55) than women (5.4) with AAPC in Men was 4.2 (95% CI: 3.8 to 4.8) and in women was 2.0 (95% CI: 1.6 to 2.6). Racial disparities were evident, with NH Black having the highest AAMR (12.7), followed by American Indian/Alaska Natives (12.16), NH White (7.09), Hispanic (5.02), and NH Asian/Pacific Islanders (2.41). Mortality was higher in rural areas (8.01) vs. urban areas (7.27). California had the most deaths i.e 5,592 with AAMR 10.52. Conclusion Obesity-associated myocardial disease mortality nearly doubled from 1999 to 2020, peaking in 2020. Males, NH Black individuals, and rural populations had the highest AAMRs. California recorded the most deaths. This study highlights the need for specific public health strategies to address obesity related cardiovascular risks and reduce related mortality.Image 1Image 2
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Waqas et al. (2026) conducted an observational in Cardiomyopathy with obesity (n=34,032). Obesity in myocardial disease (cardiomyopathy) vs. Demographic and geographic subgroups over time (1999–2020) was evaluated on Age-adjusted mortality rate (AAMR) per 1,000,000 for obesity-associated cardiomyopathy (AAPC 3.5, 95% CI 3.2-3.8). Obesity-associated cardiomyopathy age-adjusted mortality rate per 1,000,000 rose from 5.05 in 1999 to 10.76 in 2020 (AAPC 3.5; 95% CI 3.2-3.8).
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