Cardiovascular Disease in Adolescents and Young Adults in Mexico: Secondary Analysis of the 2021 Global Burden of Disease Study.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: To analyse the burden of young-onset cardiovascular disease (CVD) in Mexico for the years 1990 and 2021, as well as trends from 1990 to 2021, and to evaluate its association with the sociodemographic index (SDI) and the Healthcare Access and Quality Index (HAQI).

METHODS

A secondary analysis of data from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) study was conducted, stratified by sex, age groups, states, and CVD subcauses. Metrics included mortality, years of life lost (YLL), years lived with disability (YLD), and disability-adjusted life years (DALY).

RESULTS

There was an increase in age-standardized young-onset CVD DALY rates in men and a decrease in women. The leading causes of young-onset CVD deaths were ischemic heart disease, and stroke. Males showed a higher burden for all CVD causes, except for rheumatic heart disease and pulmonary arterial hypertension. The burden of premature mortality was higher in men, while disability was more pronounced in women. Complex associations were observed between SDI, HAQI, and CVD burden, highlighting a heterogeneous situation among Mexican states.

CONCLUSIONS

Recognizing the unique cardiovascular profiles of young men and women and effectively engaging them in healthcare systems may lead to targeted interventions that reduce risk factors, improve health outcomes, and further decrease the burden of young-onset CVD in Mexico.