Work

The Burden of Cardiovascular Disease in China

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) continue to be a leading global public health challenge, with a substantial burden in China. A comprehensive understanding of CVD incidence among the Chinese is critical for optimizing health care resource allocation and address the CVD epidemic. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to profile the epidemic status of CVD incidence in China based on the national population-based CVD surveillance data. METHODS: The study used data from the China CVD Surveillance System, which covered 400 districts across 31 provinces. Incident events comprised coronary heart disease and stroke. Age-standardized incidence rates were calculated using the 2001 WHO World Standard Population (WSR) and the 2020 Seventh Chinese National Census population (CSR). RESULTS: = 0.011), with a particularly pronounced elevation observed for ages ≥55 years. The crude incidence rates for CVD were notably higher in rural than in urban areas (719.38 vs 550.60 per 100,000; P < 0.001). The crude CVD incidence rate was higher in western (639.68/100,000) and central (630.18/100,000) China than in eastern China (612.25/100,000), whereas age-standardized rates were elevated in the eastern and central regions (all P < 0.001). The CVD incidence rate appeared to vary by calendar month, with a peak occurring from January to March. CONCLUSIONS: This study revealed a substantial incident burden of CVD in China. Elevated incidence rates were particularly observed among male and elderly subgroups, with significant geographic disparities and seasonal variations in incidence. Targeted policies and precise public health programs are needed to mitigate these disparities and reduce the national disease burden.

Source: Journal of the American College of Cardiology

DOI: 10.1016/j.jacc.2025.08.060