Heart failure & cardiomyopathiesCohort study
Global, regional, and national burdens of heart failure in women of childbearing age from 1990 to 2021: a comprehensive analysis based on the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021
- comprehensive analysis based on the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021
- joinpoint regression analysis
- Age-period-cohort (APC) modelling
- Bayesian age-period-cohort (BAPC) framework
- projections stratified by socio-demographic index (SDI)
Authors' conclusion
The global HF burden in WCBA has risen over the past three decades, with worsening period and cohort risks. However, high-SDI regions may see a decline in prevalence, and tailored regional prevention and treatment strategies could help mitigate the increasing burden of HF in WCBA.
Study context
- Population
- Women of childbearing age (WCBA) at global, regional, and national levels, 1990 to 2021
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
Global HF prevalence in WCBA · 1990 to 2021
1990
1.51 million
2021
2.68 million
annual growth rate
0.49%
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
Heart failure (HF) burden by age group
- Disease burden highest among women aged 40-49 years
- Fastest growth rate in the 15-19 age group
Age-standardized prevalence by SDI
- Low- and low-middle SDI regions had the highest age-standardized prevalence
Regional trends (average annual percentage change (AAPC))
- East Asia
- AAPC = 1.50%
- Central Sub-Saharan Africa
- AAPC = 0.34%
- North America
- AAPC = −0.51%
Major causes of HF
- Ischaemic and hypertensive heart disease rising as leading causes in older age groups (≥35 years)
- Cardiomyopathy and rheumatic heart disease (RHD) more prevalent in younger WCBA
Projections for 2040
- Decline in middle- and high-SDI regions; increase expected in other regions
Original publication
Global, regional, and national burdens of heart failure in women of childbearing age from 1990 to 2021: a comprehensive analysis based on the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021. Eur Heart J Qual Care Clin Outcomes. Published 18 February 2026. doi:10.1093/ehjqcco/qcag005
Summarised from the published abstract; every number is checked against it