Burden of Cardiovascular Disease in Sub-Saharan Africa, 1990-2019: An analysis of the Global Burden of Disease Study

Introduction The rise in cardiovascular disease (CVD) in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) reflects a major shift from communicable to noncommunicable diseases as primary health challenges. Consequently, this study aims to explore the burden of CVD and associated risk factors in SSA using data from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) database. Methods This study utilized data from the GBD 1990 to 2019 to examine CVD prevalence in 46 SSA countries. We employed Bayesian regression models, demographic techniques, and mortality-to-incidence ratios to analyze both prevalence and mortality rates. Additionally, disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) were computed, and various risk factors were examined using the GBD's comparative risk assessment framework. Results Between 1990 and 2019, CVD raw counts in SSA rose by 131.7%, with a 2.1% increase in age-standardized prevalence rates. The most prevalent conditions were ischemic heart disease, stroke, and rheumatic heart disease. During the same period, the age-standardized CVD deaths per 100,000 individuals decreased from 314 (1990) to 269 (2019), reflecting a -14.4% decline. Age-standardized CVD DALY rates also showed a decrease from 6,755 in 1990 to 5,476 in 2019, with translates to 18.9% reduction. By 2019, the Central African Republic, Madagascar, and Lesotho were the countries with the highest age-standardized DALY rates for all CVDs. Conclusions The study highlights a contrasting trend in SSA's CVD landscape: a decrease in age-standardized mortality and DALYs contrasts with increasing CVD prevalence, emphasizing the need for targeted public health strategies that balance treatment advancements with intensified prevention and control measures.