Mortality Rates from Cardiovascular Diseases in Different Regions of Panama and Associated Risk Factors

Abstract

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) constitutes a group of pathologies that affect the heart and blood vessels, including coronary heart disease, cerebrovascular diseases, peripheral artery diseases, rheumatic heart disease, congenital heart diseases, deep vein thrombosis, and pulmonary embolisms. Globally, cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of mortality, claiming over 17 million lives annually. Most of these deaths are attributed to coronary heart diseases and cerebrovascular accidents, with one-third occurring prematurely in individuals under 70 years of age, according to the World Health Organization. In the Americas region, the prevalence of cardiovascular diseases is significant, with 62.5% of adults affected by overweight or obesity, resulting from changes in dietary habits, lack of physical activity, and environmental and social variations. In Panama, these conditions translate into a concerning scenario, with ischemic heart diseases, heart failures, and cerebrovascular accidents leading the causes of death, responsible for 43% of annual fatalities. These diseases have become a silent pandemic, according to Panamanian health authorities. The objective of this work is to conduct a comprehensive review of mortality rates due to cardiovascular diseases in different regions of Panama, focusing on associated risk factors. The research relies on documents from international organizations such as the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) and the World Health Organization (WHO), as well as national sources like the Ministry of Health, Social Security Fund, and the Gorgas Memorial Institute.