Temporal trends and disparities in heat-related cardiovascular mortality in the United States (1999-2024): a CDC WONDER analysis.

Authors

Hassaan Abid, Gaaitri Lohano, Muhammad Vazaym, Muhammad Jawad, Rimsha Adnan, Muhammad Mohid Haroon

Published in

Frontiers in cardiovascular medicine. Volume 13. Pages 1850364. Epub Jun 24, 2026.

Abstract

Rising global temperatures and increasing frequency of extreme heat events have raised growing concerns regarding heat-related cardiovascular mortality. Heat exposure can exacerbate underlying cardiovascular conditions and precipitate acute adverse events. This study aimed to evaluate national trends in heat-related cardiovascular mortality in the United States from 1999 to 2024. We conducted a retrospective analysis using the CDC WONDER Multiple Cause-of-Death database. Deaths among adults aged ≥25 years with heat-related conditions (ICD-10 code T67) listed as contributing causes and diseases of the circulatory system (ICD-10 codes I00-I99) as underlying causes were identified. Age-adjusted mortality rates (AAMRs) per 100,000 population were calculated using the 2000 U.S. standard population. Temporal trends were analyzed using Joinpoint regression to estimate annual percent change (APC) and average annual percent change (AAPC). A total of 10,731 deaths were identified. Mortality declined significantly between 1999 and 2004, followed by variable trends, with a sharp and statistically significant increase observed from 2015 to 2024 (APC: 17.58%; p < 0.001). Despite a non-significant overall trend (AAPC: 1.47%; p = 0.79), subgroup analyses revealed important disparities. Males demonstrated a significant overall increase in mortality (AAPC: 3.64%; p = 0.034), while Hispanic populations exhibited the most pronounced recent increases. Regional analysis revealed the highest burden in the Western and Southern United States. Heat-related cardiovascular mortality has increased substantially in recent years, with significant demographic and geographic disparities, highlighting the growing impact of climate-related heat exposure and the need for targeted public health interventions.

PMID:
42422174
Bibliographic data and abstract were imported from PubMed on 09 Jul 2026.

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