Heart failure & cardiomyopathies
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
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
- Outcome
- Global HF prevalence in WCBA
- Follow-up
- 1990 to 2021
Methodological detailsjoinpoint regression analysis, Age-period-cohort (APC) modelling, Bayesian age-period-cohort (BAPC) framework, projections stratified by socio-demographic index (SDI)
- Joinpoint regression analysis
- Age-period-cohort (APC) modelling
- Bayesian age-period-cohort (BAPC) framework
- Projections stratified by socio-demographic index (SDI)
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
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.
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