The aim of this study was to estimate the burden and risk factors for ischaemic heart disease (IHD) in 195 countries and territories from 1990 to 2017.

Data from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2017 were used. Prevalence, incidence, deaths, years lived with disability (YLDs), and years of life lost (YLLs) were metrics used to measure IHD burden. Population attributable fraction was used to estimate the proportion of IHD deaths attributable to potentially modifiable risk factors. Globally, in 2017, 126.5 million [95% uncertainty interval (UI) 118.6 to 134.7] people lived with IHD and 10.6 million (95% UI 9.6 to 11.8) new IHD cases occurred, resulting in 8.9 million (95% UI 8.8 to 9.1) deaths, 5.3 million (95% UI 3.7 to 7.2) YLDs, and 165.0 million (95% UI 162.2 to 168.6) YLLs. Between 1990 and 2017, despite the decrease in age-standardized rates, the global numbers of these burden metrics of IHD have significantly increased. The burden of IHD in 2017 and its temporal trends from 1990 to 2017 varied widely by geographic location. Among all potentially modifiable risk factors, age-standardized IHD deaths worldwide were primarily attributable to dietary risks, high systolic blood pressure, high LDL cholesterol, high fasting plasma glucose, tobacco use, and high body mass index in 2017.

Our results suggested that IHD remains a major public health challenge worldwide. More effective and targeted strategies aimed at implementing cost-effective interventions and addressing modifiable risk factors are urgently needed, particularly in geographies with high or increasing burden.