Abstract Body: Background: Heart failure (HF) is a major cause of mortality in the U.S., responsible for 45% of cardiovascular deaths. Studies indicate that 85-90% of HF patients have at least one Standard Modifiable Cardiovascular Risk Factor (SMuRF), including hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidemia, or smoking.
Research Question: How have mortality trends in HF patients with underlying SMuRFs evolved across demographic and geographic groups?
Aim: To evaluate disparities in HF mortality trends across demographic and regional factors to inform preventive strategies.
Methodology: A retrospective analysis of CDC-WONDER data (1999–2020) examined HF (I50) mortality with SMuRFs (HTN, DM, dyslipidemia, smoking) in individuals aged ≥55 years. Mortality trends were assessed using Joinpoint Regression, calculating AAMR and APC with p<0.05 as significant.
Results: HF with SMuRFs contributed to 136,304 deaths, AAMR 8.6. Mortality surged post-2010 in both genders (APC: males 2.58% [95% CI: 1.93–3.72, p<0.001], females 2.24% [95% CI: 1.24–3.94, p<0.001]). Hispanics and non-Hispanics had significant increases from 1999-2006 and 2009-2020. African Americans (2011-2020) and whites (2015-2020) showed rising trends (APC: 3.33%, 3.88%). The South (CENS-R3) and West (CENS-R4) had increasing mortality post-2010, with Mississippi and Oklahoma showing the highest AAMRs (31.6, 21.5), emphasizing stark geographic disparities that highlight the need for targeted public health interventions and policy changes.
Conclusion: Despite overall declines, disparities persist, with post-2010 mortality surges in several groups, underscoring the need for targeted interventions.