Cardiovascular disease mortality trends in young adults aged 18-34 years, United States, 2000-2023

Abstract

Purpose: This study examines national trends in mortality from cardiovascular disease (CVD) and select subtypes among U.S. young adults aged 18-34 years from 2000 to 2023.

Methods: National mortality data from the National Vital Statistics System were used to identify CVD, heart disease, stroke, and hypertension-related CVD deaths among U.S. residents aged 18-34 from 2000 to 2023. Crude and age-standardized death rates were calculated overall and by age group, sex, and race and ethnicity. Temporal trends were calculated as percent change using a log-linear model.

Results: From 2000-2023, age-standardized CVD and heart disease death rates among young adults did not statistically change (percent change: -2.2 % [95 % CI: -7.8, 3.7] and -2.4 % [95 % CI: -8.3 %, 3.8 %], respectively). Stroke death rates decreased (percent change: -15.7 % [-21.0 %, -10.0 %])). However, hypertension-related CVD death rates increased by 78.5 % [95 % CI: 63.6 %, 94.7 %]). Patterns across demographic groups were broadly similar.

Conclusion: Despite stability or modest declines in CVD death rates among young adults, hypertension-related CVD death rates increased sharply during 2000-2023. These findings merit public health action and underscore the need for better identification and management of hypertension and other CVD risk factors among young adults.

Keywords: Cardiovascular disease; Mortality; Public health surveillance; Trends; Young adults.