Cardiovascular mortality attributable to dietary risk factors in 54 countries in the WHO European Region from 1990 to 2019: an updated systematic analysis of the Global Burden of Disease Study
An erratum to this article was published (Eur J Prev Cardiol, 10 Sep 2026 ↗)
Authors' conclusion
In terms of CVD deaths in the WHO ER, more than every third death is attributable to an unbalanced diet, making the diet one of the most important factors in preventing premature CVD death in the WHO ER.
Study context
- Population
- 54 countries in the WHO European Region, 1990–2019; 13 dietary risks and 13 forms of CVD54 countries
- Outcome
- CVD deaths attributable to dietary risk factors
- Follow-up
- 2019
Methodological detailscomparative risk assessment
- Comparative risk assessment
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
CVD deaths attributable to suboptimal diet
Diet-related CVD deaths
1.55 million
95 % UI 1.2–1.9 million
Share of total deaths
16.4 %
Share of CVD deaths
36.7 %
Further findings
Trend 1990–2019
- Reduction in diet-related CVD deaths; age-standardized death rate decreased
- 8.1 %
Diet-related CVD deaths by sex
- Women
- 777 714 deaths
- Men
- 772 519 deaths
Largest share by age group
- 85+ years
- 32.1 %
Leading dietary risks
- Diet low in whole grains
- 326 755 deaths
- Diet low in legumes
- 232 918 deaths
- Diet high in sodium
- 193 713 deaths
Cause of diet-related CVD deaths
- Ischaemic heart disease
- 80.3%
Original publication
Cardiovascular mortality attributable to dietary risk factors in 54 countries in the WHO European Region from 1990 to 2019: an updated systematic analysis of the Global Burden of Disease Study. Eur J Prev Cardiol. Published 15 April 2024. doi:10.
Composed by AI from the published abstract and checked against it. How Briefs are made →