Concurrent aortic stenosis and hypertension: mortality trends in US older adults from 1999-2020.

BACKGROUND

Aortic Stenosis (AS) is a valvular heart disease. Hypertension accelerates stenosis, increasing morbidity and mortality. This study investigates mortality trends in US older adults with AS and hypertension from 1999 to 2020.

METHODS

Using the CDC WONDER database, age-adjusted mortality rates (AAMRs) per 100,000 individuals aged 65+ with AS and hypertension were analyzed. Changes in AAMRs were examined through annual percent change (APC) and average APC (AAPC) using Joinpoint regression.

RESULTS

From 1999 to 2020, hypertension caused 99,250 deaths in AS patients in the US, demonstrating an increasing trend (AAPC: 5.51%). Males had higher AAMRs (11.51) than females (9.99). Non-Hispanic (NH) white people (11.32) had the highest AAMRs, followed by Hispanic (7.37), NH Black people (7.27), and NH Asians (6.12). Regionally, the West showed the highest AAMR (13.3), followed by the Midwest (11.38), the Northeast (10.62), and the South (8.53). The states with the highest AAMRs were Vermont and Oregon, while Alabama and Georgia had the lowest. Non-metropolitan areas (11.19) experienced higher mortality than metropolitan areas (10.49).

CONCLUSION

We report increasing mortality rates in patients with AS and hypertension, especially in males, NH white people, and the West. Target healthcare measures are needed to address the rising mortality.