Two-Decade Trends and COVID-Era Acceleration in IHD Mortality Among Adults with Alcohol Use Disorder in the United States, 1999-2024

The study analyzed trends in ischemic heart disease (IHD) mortality among adults with alcohol use disorder in the United States from 1999 to 2024. A total of 150,273 deaths involving both conditions were recorded. Age-adjusted mortality rates declined slightly from 2.0 to 1.9 per 100,000 population between 1999 and 2011, then increased to 2.7 by 2018 and rose sharply to 3.7 during 2018-2021, representing an annual increase of 12.52 percent. Overall mortality increased approximately 80 percent from baseline. Men had higher mortality than women (peak 6.6 versus 1.2 per 100,000). American Indian or Alaska Native individuals had the highest mortality (7.4), while Asian or Pacific Islander individuals had the lowest. The study highlights the need for integrated cardiovascular and addiction care.