Introduction: Data regarding standardized trends in mortality from heart failure (HF) in the general population are limited.
Objectives: The aim of the study was to evaluate trends in HF mortality in Poland in the years 1980-2010.
Patients and methods: An analysis of a database of mortality records from 1980-2010 based on National Statistics was performed. Mortality trends for HF by age and sex were analyzed by polynomial or linear regression.
Results: Total crude numbers of HF deaths in 1980 were 21,519 and 23,008 for women and men, respectively, whereas, in 2010, there were 23,304 and 19,558. There was a significant change in mortality trends for HF, from a decline during the first phase of the study to an increase during the most recent years, 2005-2010 (P <0.005 for changes of trends for both sexes). The lowest value reached in 2005 constituted 47% and 41% of the baseline for women and men, respectively. These ratios increased to 59% and 52% in 2010. Stratification by age and sex brought similar results, with the exception of the youngest groups, which showed initial increases in the rates for the years 1980-1985.
Conclusions: There was a significant decline in the rates of HF mortality in the Polish population for both men and women, showing a maximal reduction of about 50% around 2005. However, between 2005 and 2010, a significant increase in the rates of HF mortality was observed (crude difference equaled 12% for women and 11% for men). It is unknown whether this is a temporary or permanent trend, and the issue requires further investigation.