Impact of Low Physical Activity on Cardiovascular Disease Across Regions and Demographic Groups: Insights from the Global Burden of Disease Study.

Background: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a leading cause of death globally, with low physical activity (LPA) as a significant modifiable risk factor. The prevalence of LPA remains high, necessitating a comprehensive assessment of its impact on CVD.

Methods: We applied Joinpoint regression to assess trends in deaths and Disability-Adjusted Life Years (DALYs) and employed ARIMA models to project future BMI-related burdens.

Results: From 1990 to 2021, CVD-related deaths due to LPA rose from 218,938 to 371,736 globally, with the most significant increases in Southeast Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa. DALYs surged from 4.47 million to 7.29 million. Although age-standardized death rates showed a slight decline in high-income countries (-2.27% EAPC), lower-income regions experienced a steady rise. YLDs grew from 344,680 to 725,181, while YLLs increased from 4.13 million to 6.57 million, with older adults (75+ years) carrying the highest burden.

Conclusion: The growing burden of CVD linked to LPA highlights the urgent need for interventions, particularly in low- and middle-income countries, to reduce future risks and improve public health outcomes.