AHA Scientific Sessions 2026 Abstract · Nov 2, 2026
A Deadly Connection: Sleep Apnea and Chronic Ischemic Heart Disease Mortality Trends in the United States (1999-2023)
By Ali MF, Ahmad H, Arshad MU et al.
Introduction: Sleep Apnea (SA), often undiagnosed, is a silent contributor to Chronic Ischemic Heart Disease (CIHD), yet its impact remains underrecognized. This identified disparities and assessed variations in mortality by age, sex, race/ethnicity, and geographic region. Methods: Age-adjusted mortality rates (AAMRs) per million among adults (25+) were extracted from CDC WONDER using ICD codes for SA (47.3) and CIHD (I25). Joinpoint regression estimated Annual Percent Change (APC) and Average APC (AAPC) with significance at p<0.01. Results: Between 1999 and 2023, 80,879 SA and CIHD-related deaths occurred among adults, primarily in homes (52.9%) and hospitals (43.1%). AAMR rose from 3.31 in 1999 to 24.93 in 2023 (AAPC: 8.40, 95% CI: 8.05-8.96, p<0.000001), peaking in 2021 (27.0). Men had higher AAMRs than women (22.0 vs. 6.49), while women had a greater increase (AAPC: 8.77, 95% CI: 8.26-9.59, p<0.000001). Non-Hispanic (NH) Whites had the highest AAMR (14.87) with the greatest rise (AAPC: 8.94, 95% CI: 8.52-9.59, p<0.000001). The elderly (75Y+) had higher AAMRs (64.48 vs. 2.36 in 25-54Y) and showed a steeper increase (AAPC: 11.25 vs. 5.97, p<0.01). Geographically, AAMRs ranged from 48.69 (Wyoming) to 8.21 (Connecticut), with the Midwest showing the highest increase (AAPC: 8.87, 95% CI: 8.38-9.60, p<0.000001). Rural areas had higher AAMRs than urban (14.78 vs. 11.07), with both showing increasing trends. Conclusion: Significant mortality disparities exist in SA and CIHD patients, warranting targeted interventions for older men, NH Whites, rural residents, and those from the Midwest.