Rising Cardiovascular Disease Risk in Mexico Despite Better Cholesterol Management

Despite advancements in statin therapy and cholesterol control, new research indicates that the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) has increased in Mexico between 2016 and 2023. This study, presented at ACC Latin America 2025, utilized region-specific tools to better assess local disease burden. The analysis found that although statin use among eligible individuals surged from 1% to 59%, and LDL-C levels improved across various risk groups, control of blood sugar and blood pressure revealed ongoing challenges, particularly in very high-risk populations.

The study analyzed data from Mexico’s National Health and Nutrition Surveys (ENSANUT), focusing on key risk factors such as systolic blood pressure, total cholesterol, smoking, diabetes, body mass index, age, and sex. Two models—Globorisk-LAC and WHO—were employed to estimate the 10-year risk of coronary artery disease and stroke. Both models showed an increase in average risk over the years, with Globorisk-LAC estimating risks around 9.5% (lab-based) and 9.2% (office-based), and WHO estimating around 4.4%. The disparity suggests WHO models may underrepresent actual risk, especially as they slightly underestimate the disease burden by mainly using data from high-income regions.

The findings highlight significant gaps in secondary prevention, as control of LDL-C, blood sugar, and blood pressure remains uneven. Public health measures like taxing sugary drinks, implementing warning labels, banning trans-fats, and restricting marketing of ultra-processed foods have demonstrated effectiveness in Mexico and Latin America. Additionally, adherence to updated national guidelines on managing hypertension, diabetes, and obesity is crucial. Ensuring the timely procurement of medicines and supplies is necessary to prevent treatment interruptions, which could lead to increased future health complications.

This research underscores the importance of context-specific risk assessments and tailored intervention strategies to address the unique health profile of Mexico’s population, ultimately aiming to reduce the serious burden of cardiovascular disease in the region.