CLINICAL RESEARCH
Mortality from coexisting cancer and ischaemic heart disease in the United States: national trends from 1999 to 2023
1
Department of Cardiology, Somerset NHS Foundation Trust, Taunton, UK
2
Lancaster Medical School, Lancaster University, Lancaster, UK
3
Dow University of Health Sciences, Karachi, Pakistan
4
Department of Medicine, Chelsea and Westminster NHS Trust, London, UK
5
Department of Medicine, Imperial College London, UK
6
James Cook University Hospital, Middlesbrough, UK
7
Darren Valley Hospital, Dartford and Gravesham NHS Trust, UK
8
Newcastle Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Newcastle, UK
Submission date: 2026-03-14
Final revision date: 2026-05-19
Acceptance date: 2026-06-01
Publication date: 2026-06-30
Arch Med Sci Atheroscler Dis 2026;11(1):167-173
KEYWORDS
TOPICS
ABSTRACT
Introduction:
Cancer and ischaemic heart disease (IHD) are associated with an increased risk of mortality. This study aims to assess long-term mortality trends among adults with cancer and IHD in the US from 1999 to 2023.
Material and methods:
The CDC-WONDER database was used to extract death certificate information for individuals aged 25 years and older with cancer and IHD. Age-adjusted mortality rates (AAMRs) were estimated per 100,000 individuals, and the annual percent change (APC) was determined using JoinPoint.
Results:
From 1999 to 2023, cancer and IHD were associated with 65,692 deaths in the US. During this period, the AAMR increased from 1.03 in 1999 to 1.69 in 2023. The AAMR remained stable from 1999 to 2016 but rose significantly from 1.09 in 2016 to 1.64 in 2023, with an APC of 7.7% (95% CI: 6.55 to 9.15). Males had higher AAMR compared to females (2.2 vs. 1.3, respectively, in 2023). Among racial/ethnic groups, the highest mortality was observed in NH Blacks or African Americans and NH Whites (2.8 vs. 1.6 in 2023). Geographic variations were evident, with the Western region and urban areas having higher AAMRs.
Conclusions:
We observed an overall increase in cancer and IHD mortality in the US over the study period, especially after 2016. Mortality was higher among males, NH Blacks, and NH Whites. Geographic disparities were observed, with higher AAMRs in the Western region and urban areas.
Cancer and ischaemic heart disease (IHD) are associated with an increased risk of mortality. This study aims to assess long-term mortality trends among adults with cancer and IHD in the US from 1999 to 2023.
Material and methods:
The CDC-WONDER database was used to extract death certificate information for individuals aged 25 years and older with cancer and IHD. Age-adjusted mortality rates (AAMRs) were estimated per 100,000 individuals, and the annual percent change (APC) was determined using JoinPoint.
Results:
From 1999 to 2023, cancer and IHD were associated with 65,692 deaths in the US. During this period, the AAMR increased from 1.03 in 1999 to 1.69 in 2023. The AAMR remained stable from 1999 to 2016 but rose significantly from 1.09 in 2016 to 1.64 in 2023, with an APC of 7.7% (95% CI: 6.55 to 9.15). Males had higher AAMR compared to females (2.2 vs. 1.3, respectively, in 2023). Among racial/ethnic groups, the highest mortality was observed in NH Blacks or African Americans and NH Whites (2.8 vs. 1.6 in 2023). Geographic variations were evident, with the Western region and urban areas having higher AAMRs.
Conclusions:
We observed an overall increase in cancer and IHD mortality in the US over the study period, especially after 2016. Mortality was higher among males, NH Blacks, and NH Whites. Geographic disparities were observed, with higher AAMRs in the Western region and urban areas.
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