Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Cardiovascular Health in 2020: JACC State-of-the-Art Review

Abstract

The impact of COVID-19 on the burden of cardiovascular diseases (CVD) during the early pandemic remains unclear. COVID-19 has become one of the leading causes of global mortality, with a disproportionate impact on persons with CVD. Studies of health facility admissions for CVD found significant decreases during the pandemic. Studies of hospital mortality for CVD were more variable. Studies of population-level CVD mortality differed across countries, with most showing decreases, although some revealed increases in deaths. In some countries where large increases in CVD deaths were reported in vital registration systems, misclassification of COVID-19 as CVD may have occurred. Taken together, studies suggest heterogeneous effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on CVD without large increases in CVD mortality in 2020 for a number of countries. Clinical and population science research is needed to examine the ways in which the pandemic has affected CVD burden.

Keywords: COVID-19; burden of disease; hospital outcomes; population health.

Graphical abstract

Central Illustration

Percent Change in Cardiovascular Deaths, 2020 Compared With 2015 to 2019 The impact of COVID-19 on the burden of cardiovascular diseases (CVD) during the early pandemic remains unclear. Studies of population-level CVD mortality differed across countries, with most showing decreases, although some revealed small to moderate increases in deaths. These differences may be explained by the misclassification of COVID-19 as CVD in some countries. Taken together, studies suggest heterogenous effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on CVD without large increases in CVD mortality in 2020 for a number of countries.