Cardiovascular Disease Burden in Rural Central Asia: A Systematic Review of Epidemiological Trends and Mortality Patterns
Kassymkhan A. Ryskulova A.-G. Buribayeva Z. Nurmukhambetova B. Bizhanov K. Nabok D. Nassyrova N. Bapayeva M. Mirrakhimov E.
February 2026Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (MDPI)
Epidemiologia
2026#7Issue 1
Background/Objectives: Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) remain a leading cause of mortality worldwide, with a particularly high burden in Central Asian countries. Despite ongoing urbanization, rural populations constitute a significant demographic in this region, yet epidemiological data stratified by urban and rural residence are limited and fragmented. This systematic review aimed to synthesize current evidence on the incidence, prevalence, mortality, and risk factor profiles of CVDs among urban and rural populations in Central Asia, identify disparities, and inform targeted prevention and control strategies. Methods: A systematic literature search was conducted across the PubMed, Science Direct, Web of Science, and Google Scholar databases for studies published between 2015 and 2025. Included studies reported cardiovascular health indicators with urban–rural stratification in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan. Data extraction and qualitative synthesis were performed, with methodological quality assessed using the Newcastle–Ottawa Scale. Results: Eight original studies met the inclusion criteria, encompassing national and regional datasets with diverse designs, including retrospective analyses, cross-sectional surveys, and registry data. Overall, CVD incidence and prevalence showed increasing trends in both urban and rural areas, with consistently higher mortality rates in urban populations. Key modifiable risk factors—hypertension, obesity, dyslipidemia, and smoking—were prevalent, particularly in rural settings. Variability in healthcare access and preventive program implementation contributed to the observed disparities. Limited data from some countries, particularly Tajikistan and Turkmenistan, highlight gaps in epidemiological surveillance. Conclusions: The cardiovascular disease burden in Central Asia demonstrates significant urban–rural disparities, underscoring the need for tailored public health interventions and enhanced healthcare resource allocation in rural regions. Strengthening epidemiological monitoring and implementing region-specific prevention programs targeting modifiable risk factors are imperative for reducing CVD morbidity and mortality. Further high-quality research is necessary to address existing data gaps and optimize cardiovascular health strategies across the region.
cardiovascular diseases , Central Asia , epidemiology , incidence , modifiable risk factors , mortality , prevalence , public health , urban–rural disparities
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Department of Public Health and Social Sciences, Department of Internal Medicine, Kazakhstan’s Medical University “KSPH”, Almaty, 050060, Kazakhstan
Department of Internal Medicine, Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine and Healthcare, Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, Almaty, 050040, Kazakhstan
Department of Nursing, Department of Neurology, Department of Internal Medicine, Asfendiyarov Kazakh National Medical University, Almaty, 050012, Kazakhstan
Department of Interventional Cardiology, Arrhythmology and Endovascular Surgery, Syzganov National Scientific Center of Surgery, Almaty, 050004, Kazakhstan
Department of Cardiology, Karaganda Medical University, Karaganda, 100009, Kazakhstan
Department of Research, Kazakh-Russian Medical University, Almaty, 050004, Kazakhstan
Department of Faculty Therapy, Kyrgyz State Medical Academy Named After I.K. Akhunbaev, Bishkek, 720020, Kyrgyzstan
College of Medicine, Korea University, Seoul, 02841, South Korea
Department of Public Health and Social Sciences
Department of Internal Medicine
Department of Nursing
Department of Interventional Cardiology
Department of Cardiology
Department of Research
Department of Faculty Therapy
College of Medicine
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