Premature cardiac arrest was responsible for 57,871 deaths among adults with obesity

Obesity remains a significant yet modifiable risk factor for premature cardiac arrest. Despite this condition accounting for just over one-third of deaths in individuals under age 70 worldwide, there is a lack of research seeking to understand its association with mortality in individuals with obesity. A study by researchers at the University of Khyber Medical College, in Peshawar, Pakistan, focused on common disparities, as findings suggest there is a significant increase in premature cardiac arrest among adults with obesity, specifically in Black, American Indian, and non-metropolitan communities.

Credit: Society for Cardiovascular Angiography & Interventions

In a retrospective analysis using the CDC WONDER dataset from 1999-2020, researchers pulled individuals aged between 25-65 years. Patients with obesity who died were identified and divided by time, sex, race, and geography. The data were presented at the Society for Cardiovascular Angiography & Interventions (SCAI) 2025 Scientific Sessions.

Data showed that premature cardiac arrest was responsible for 57,871 deaths among adults with obesity, with the death rate increasing almost fourfold over two decades (from 0.79 to 2.95 per 100,000 people). Females showed a lower death rate (1.25) than males (1.72), though both groups saw a noticeable rise in death rate throughout the study duration.

When accounting for race, Black Americans had the highest mortality rate (2.75), followed by American Indians (2.27), Whites (1.4), then Hispanic or Latinos (1.17). Asians had the lowest death rate (0.47). Geographic differences were also notable, as Maryland had the lowest death rate per state (0.61), while Mississippi had the highest per state (3.98). Large cities also had lower death rates (1.40) than smaller towns (2.02) and rural areas (1.90).

“Given the advancements in cardiovascular care during our study duration, we were surprised to find that premature cardiac arrest deaths in patients with obesity increased. This dramatic increase, combined with profound variations in race and geographical location, highlights the fact that significant differences still exist despite overall improvements in healthcare,” said Dr Muhammad Ahmad from Khyber Medical College, and lead author of the study. “Our findings emphasise an urgent need to better allocate resources to high-risk groups in the communities that need it the most.

This study found there was an increase in AMI and obesity-related mortality, with notable racial and geographic disparities.

Data found that both AMI and obesity contributed to 44,599 deaths, with the death rate rising 30%, from 1.2 to 1.7 over the course of twelve years. Women had a lower mortality rate (1.1) than men (1.9). Racial disparities showed that Black Americans had the highest death rate (1.9), followed by American Indians/Alaska Natives (1.8), White (1.6), Hispanic/Latino (0.9), and Asian/Pacific Islander (0.3). When observing geographical location, Wyoming had the highest death rate (3.7), followed by Arkansas (3.3), and South Dakota (3.2); and orienting by region showed the Midwest region with the highest mortality rate (1.7). Additionally, non-metropolitan areas like suburbs, small towns, and rural areas had a higher death rate (2.4) than cities (1.3). 

“Our results show concerning trends, further emphasizing how clinicians should prioritise screenings, early interventions, and tailored prevention strategies to reduce disparities and improve outcomes among high-risk populations,” said lead author of the study, Dr Farhan Naeem, Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston.

Additional research is needed to further address and mitigate these concerning trends.

The abstract, ‘Trends in Acute Myocardial Infarction and Obesity-Related Mortality in the United States, 2007 to 2019’, was published in the SCAI Abstract Supplement, which appears in SCAI’s official journal, JSCAI. To access this abstract, please click here