Epidemiology

Coronary heart disease is the leading cause of death worldwide; accounting for 17.9 million deaths per year.[6]​​

Ischemic heart disease (IHD) is the most common cause of cardiovascular death; data from the European Society of Cardiology in 2019 showed that IHD accounted for 38% of cardiovascular disease (CVD) deaths in females and 44% in males.​​​[3][7]​​

The incidence and mortality of ischemic heart disease has decreased in high-income countries over the past 30 years, which may be due to better control of risk factors such as hypertension, diabetes, high cholesterol, and smoking.[8]​​ However, mortality is increasing in developing and transitional countries, with more than 75% of CVD deaths occurring in developing countries.[6]​ These trends reflect changes in population longevity, urbanization, and lifestyle changes.[6] Despite the overall reduction in incidence, in the US it is estimated that >800,000 people will experience an acute myocardial infarction (MI) each year.​​[5][9]

MI affects both men and women, but tends to occur at a younger age in men. The average age of a person having a first MI is 65.6 years for men and 72 years for women.[9]​ The incidence in women increases after menopause. Women ages under 60 years with ST-elevation myocardial infarction have higher 30-day mortality rates even after adjustment for medications, primary percutaneous coronary intervention, and other coexisting comorbidities.​[10]​​

About 90% of patients with coronary heart disease report at least one major risk factor, including cigarette smoking, dyslipidemia, hypertension, diabetes, and abdominal obesity.[11]

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