This study provides the first comprehensive assessment of long-term mortality trends for dilated cardiomyopathy and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in the United States from 1999 to 2023. Results show significant declines in mortality for both cardiomyopathies, reflecting advances in diagnostic imaging, genetic testing, and heart failure treatment. However, significant demographic and regional disparities persist. Mortality remains high among the elderly, males, and non-Hispanic Black individuals, with persistent regional differences, suggesting continued inequities in access to specialized cardiovascular care and prevention strategies. Future efforts are needed to address healthcare access and improve clinical outcomes.

Higher mortality rates among the elderly, males, and non-Hispanic Black individuals are largely attributed to limited access to specialized care, delayed diagnosis, and socioeconomic disadvantage. Combining population-level and clinical data can facilitate early identification of high-risk individuals, particularly in resource-poor settings. Expanding access to imaging and genetic counseling in underserved areas is key to narrowing geographic disparities. Future efforts must prioritize enhancing targeted screening programs and ensuring equitable access to advanced treatments to benefit all populations.

Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) are two prevalent non-ischemic cardiomyopathies that have significant clinical and public health implications^[1]. DCM, which is characterized by left ventricular dilation and systolic dysfunction, is the third most common cause of heart failure. It is associated with a high risk of arrhythmias, thromboembolic events, and sudden cardiac death^[2,3]. In contrast, HCM is the most common inherited cardiomyopathy and features abnormal myocardial thickening, typically presenting as asymmetric left ventricular hypertrophy. HCM carries a significantly higher risk of cardiovascular mortality^[4], including sudden cardiac death^[5].

In 2010, cardiomyopathies accounted for approximately 5.9 deaths per 100,000 people globally, corresponding to approximately 403,000 deaths. These conditions remain leading indications for heart transplantation. In the United States, DCM is estimated to result in approximately 10,000 deaths and 46,000 hospitalizations annually^[6]. Between 2017 and 2019, the prevalence of DCM was estimated at 118.33 cases per 100,000 people, with higher rates observed in adults aged 65 and older, males, and African Americans^[7]. In comparison, HCM-related mortality remains relatively low, at less than 1%, often falling below 0.5%. Despite its relatively low annual mortality rate, attention to HCM is still warranted, particularly to identify high-risk subgroups, refine risk stratification, and develop targeted treatment plans.

Previous studies, including those based on data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Wide-ranging Online Data for Epidemiologic Research (CDC WONDER) database, have examined demographic characteristics and temporal trends in DCM- and HCM-related mortality in the U.S. These studies, which reported significant declines in mortality between 1999 and 2020, found that men and non-Hispanic (NH) Black individuals experienced higher rates, with pronounced geographic disparities^[8,9]. However, these studies were limited by the data available before 2020 and did not account for the potential impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. To address these gaps, the present study uses the CDC WONDER database to provide a comprehensive analysis of DCM- and HCM-related mortality trends in U.S. adults from 1999 to 2023.

Between 1999 and 2023, 101,871 adults aged 25 and older in the United States died from DCM, 64.1% of whom were male. During the same period, 24,879 adults died from HCM, 55.1% of whom were male [Tables 1 and 2].

The AAMR for DCM decreased from 3.00 (95% CI: 2.92 to 3.08) in 1999 to 1.10 (95% CI: 1.05 to 1.14) in 2023, corresponding to an AAPC of -3.86% (95% CI: -4.92 to -2.78). Mortality rates declined significantly from 1999 to 2002 (APC: -4.91%), then stabilized from 2002 to 2005. From 2005 to 2014, the decline was steeper (APC: -6.90%), followed by a slower decline from 2014 to 2023 (APC: -2.57%). For HCM, the AAMR decreased from 0.75 (95% CI: 0.71 to 0.79) in 1999 to 0.35 (95% CI: 0.32 to 0.37) in 2023, with an AAPC of -3.20% (95% CI: -4.37 to -2.01). The decline was more gradual than in DCM, with significant reductions from 1999 to 2011 (APC: -5.18%), continuing until 2018 (APC: -3.08%). A slight, non-significant increase occurred from 2018 to 2023 (APC: 1.55%) [Figure 1].

Age-stratified data show that DCM- and HCM-related mortality was highest in the 65-84 age group. In the 65-84 age group, DCM exhibited an AAPC of -5.25% (95% CI: -6.54 to -3.94), while HCM showed an AAPC of -2.14% (95% CI: -3.32 to -0.94). Mortality declines were more gradual in younger age groups. For DCM in the 65-84 age group, mortality decreased sharply from 1999 to 2002 (APC: -8.84%), stabilized until 2005, then declined significantly from 2005 to 2012 (APC: -9.75%) and slowed thereafter (APC: -3.30%). For HCM in the same age group, mortality decreased significantly from 1999 to 2009 (APC: -6.56%), remained stable from 2009 to 2019 (APC: -1.37%), and showed a slight, non-significant increase from 2019 to 2023 (APC: 7.71%).

Men consistently had higher AAMRs than women for both DCM and HCM. For DCM, men experienced an AAPC of -3.92%, with mortality declining from 1999 to 2002 (APC: -4.31%), followed by a slight increase (APC: 1.17%) and then a sharp decline until 2015 (APC: -6.49%), reaching the lowest point in 2023. Women had an AAPC of -4.06%, with an initial sharp decline from 1999 to 2001 (APC: -10.09%), followed by a rise until 2004 (APC: 7.00%), and a resumed decline until 2023. For HCM, men had an AAPC of -3.60%, declining from 0.91 in 1999 to 0.37 by 2023, with a significant decrease from 1999 to 2018 (APC: -4.73%) followed by stability. In women, the AAPC was -2.30%, with a rapid decline from 1999 to 2015 (APC: -4.72%) followed by a slight increase from 2015 to 2023 (APC: 2.71%) [Figure 2].

The AAMRs for both DCM and HCM varied by race/ethnicity. NH Black individuals consistently had the highest AAMR, followed by NH White individuals, Hispanics, and other races. Among NH Blacks, DCM-related AAMR declined moderately from 1999 to 2005 (APC: -2.78%; 95% CI: -4.81 to -0.71). This was followed by a sharp drop from 2005 to 2017 (APC: -7.65%; 95% CI: -8.59 to -6.70), and then it stabilized through 2023 (APC: 0.29%; 95% CI: -2.62 to 3.30), resulting in an overall AAPC of -4.51% (95% CI: -5.43 to -3.58). HCM-related AAMR in NH Blacks declined from 1999 to 2014 (APC: -7.78%; 95% CI: -8.56 to -7.00) and remained stable thereafter (APC: 1.64%; 95% CI: -0.54 to 3.86), yielding an overall AAPC of -4.36% (95% CI: -5.22 to -3.48). Other racial groups saw a more gradual but consistent decline in AAMR throughout the study period, with NH Blacks consistently having the highest AAMR, followed by NH Whites, Hispanics, and other races [Figure 3].

Regional differences in AAMR for DCM were evident across the United States. In the Northeast, states like New Jersey saw a significant decline in DCM mortality, with AAMR decreasing from 2.83 (95% CI: 2.39 to 3.27) in 1999 to 0.76 (95% CI: 0.57 to 1.00) in 2023. Similarly, Midwestern states, such as Wisconsin and Minnesota, demonstrated notable declines. In contrast, the Western United States had the highest AAMR for HCM, although substantial declines were observed in Nevada, where AAMR decreased from 1.93 (95%CI: 1.16 to 3.01) in 1999 to 0 in 2023. Overall, the decline in DCM mortality was more pronounced than that of HCM. By 2023, DCM AAMR had declined to 1.10 (95% CI: 1.05 to 1.14), still higher than the HCM AAMR of 0.35 (95% CI: 0.32 to 0.37). DCM-related deaths were more widely distributed across the U.S., highlighting the importance of broad surveillance and targeted public health interventions [Figures 4 and 5].

This study presents a comprehensive analysis of 25 years (1999-2023) of mortality data from the CDC WONDER database. Overall, mortality rates for both DCM and HCM declined steadily over the study period and stabilized by 2023. Mortality rates were highest among older adults, males, and non-Hispanic Black individuals. Furthermore, notable regional variations were observed. For DCM, higher AAMRs were observed in the Midwest and West, whereas in HCM, the West consistently exhibited the highest AAMRs. Together, these findings underscore the importance of demographic and regional factors in shaping mortality risk.

The observed decline in mortality may reflect cumulative advances in diagnostic and therapeutic strategies, particularly the progressive integration of evidence-based heart failure therapies in recent decades. The widespread use of echocardiography, genetic testing, and advanced imaging since the 1990s has enabled earlier detection, improved phenotyping, and more precise risk stratification, providing a foundation for individualized management^[14,15]. Concurrently, the pharmacological landscape for heart failure evolved significantly from the late 1980s through the 1990s. Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEi), angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs), and β-blockers were gradually integrated into clinical practice. Subsequently, mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists (MRAs), angiotensin receptor-neprilysin inhibitors (ARNIs), and sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) further expanded treatment options, though their uptake has been more recent and varied across populations. In DCM, these pharmacological advances, along with device-based therapies, have significantly reduced both pump-failure mortality and sudden cardiac death^[16-18]. The adoption of primary prevention implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs) increased notably in the early 2000s, particularly following trials supporting their use in patients with reduced ejection fraction^[16,19]. ICDs have played a crucial role in lowering arrhythmic risk in high-risk subgroups, directly impacting mortality outcomes. In contrast, for HCM, guideline-directed medical therapy has traditionally focused on symptom relief and left ventricular outflow tract obstruction management. Since most HCM patients do not have systolic dysfunction, neurohormonal therapy has not shown significant mortality benefit seen in DCM. Risk stratification for ICD implantation remains central to preventing sudden death in HCM, highlighting the unique therapeutic focus in HCM compared to DCM^[15,20]. These differences in disease mechanisms and treatment strategies contribute to the distinct mortality trajectories observed in DCM and HCM.

Mortality rates for both DCM and HCM are highest among older adults. Advancing age is associated with a higher prevalence of cardiovascular comorbidities, including hypertension, atherosclerosis, and myocardial infarction. These conditions contribute to myocardial hypertrophy, reduced cardiac output, and diminished cardiac reserve, which partly explain the increased prevalence and mortality of DCM and HCM in older adults^[21,22]. Additionally, older patients often have reduced tolerance to pharmacological treatments, with some medications causing adverse effects that may compromise therapeutic efficacy.

Male patients consistently exhibited higher mortality rates than female patients throughout the study period. This disparity likely reflects biological differences: estrogen provides cardioprotective effects in women, while testosterone promotes left ventricular hypertrophy in males. Premenopausal women benefit from estrogen-mediated protection, but postmenopausal declines in estrogen increase cardiovascular risk^[23,24]. In contrast, higher testosterone levels in males exacerbate the risk of both DCM and HCM^[25], contributing to observed sex differences in mortality^[26].

Non-Hispanic Black individuals experienced the highest AAMR, driven by multiple factors, including persistent disparities in healthcare access, lower disease awareness leading to delayed treatment, and socioeconomic disadvantage^[27,28]. Genetic predisposition may also contribute, as familial DCM appears more prevalent among NH Black patients^[29]. The adoption of evidence-based therapies, such as sacubitril/valsartan for chronic HFrEF, which promote cardiac reverse remodeling and improved outcomes, may have contributed to the observed downward trend in mortality among NH Black patients over the study period^[30].

Regional differences in mortality were pronounced. For DCM, mortality has significantly decreased in states such as Wisconsin and Minnesota in the Midwest, as well as New Jersey in the Northeast, with the lowest AAMR observed in the Northeast, likely reflecting superior healthcare infrastructure, higher socioeconomic status, and better access to specialized cardiac care. In contrast, the Western region had the highest HCM-related AAMR, highlighting regional inequities that may result from limited access to specialized care in rural and underserved areas^[31]. Notably, Nevada demonstrated the most substantial reduction in AAMR among Western states, suggesting that targeted improvements in healthcare infrastructure and service delivery can mitigate regional disparities^[32].

Concurrently, our study results demonstrate that the overall AAMR for DCM is significantly higher than that for HCM. This disparity in mortality burden is likely attributable to fundamental differences in the underlying etiologies and pathophysiological mechanisms of these two cardiomyopathies. DCM is characterized by progressive dilation of the cardiac chambers, particularly the left ventricle, leading to impaired systolic function. This remodeling frequently results in heart failure and malignant arrhythmias, thereby contributing directly to increased mortality. The etiology of DCM is diverse and multifactorial, encompassing genetic predispositions^[33], infectious and autoimmune processes, toxic or metabolic insults (such as alcohol and chemotherapy), and environmental factors. By contrast, HCM is defined by pathological, often asymmetric, hypertrophy of the myocardium, typically involving the interventricular septum. This hypertrophy primarily compromises ventricular filling and may also impair systolic function. HCM is predominantly genetic, with the most common cause being autosomal dominant mutations in genes encoding sarcomere proteins^[5,34]. Compared with HCM, the pathogenic factors underlying DCM are more diverse and complex, which may partly explain its higher overall mortality rate.

The COVID-19 pandemic substantially affected healthcare systems and cardiovascular outcomes worldwide. However, our study found no statistically significant increase in DCM and HCM mortality during the late study period. While SARS-CoV-2 infection has been associated with myocardial injury and adverse cardiac events in previous studies, the stabilization of mortality trends after 2018 does not provide evidence of a pandemic-related effect. In addition to potential myocardial injury, competing mortality, healthcare disruptions, and changes in death certification practices may have influenced cause-of-death patterns^[35,36]. For instance, delays in diagnosis and treatment, along with increased mortality from COVID-19 in patients with comorbidities, may have influenced patterns of heart disease-related deaths.

This study has several important strengths in cardiomyopathy epidemiology. It extends prior national analyses by incorporating mortality data through 2023, capturing trends across the pre-pandemic period, the peak of COVID-19 disruption, and the early post-pandemic phase. Previous studies ending in 2020 could not determine whether pandemic-era fluctuations were temporary or indicated sustained shifts. Our study clarifies this, showing continued downward trends without a significant increase in HCM mortality. Additionally, this study directly compares DCM and HCM using a unified analytic framework, applying consistent case definitions, age standardization, and Joinpoint modeling. This approach enables clearer delineation of differences in mortality burden, the magnitude of decline, and demographic disparities between the two subtypes. DCM showed a more consistent and pronounced reduction in mortality compared to HCM, likely due to the greater impact of evidence-based pharmacological therapies and device interventions. In contrast, pharmacological therapy has had a more limited impact on HCM-related mortality, highlighting the continued importance of risk stratification and ICD implantation in this cohort. Furthermore, age-stratified analyses revealed variability in mortality trends across the adult lifespan, particularly among individuals aged 65-84 years, emphasizing variations in the pace and timing of mortality reduction. These findings highlight the need for age-specific strategies in managing cardiomyopathy and guide resource allocation for an aging population.

This study has several limitations. First, limitations in disease classification codes may have led to misclassification of underlying causes of death, potentially obscuring the distinction between DCM- and HCM-related mortality. Beyond classification issues, the CDC WONDER database lacks detailed information on treatment strategies, including pharmacological therapy, device implantation, and surgical interventions, limiting assessment of the impact of management approaches on mortality trends. Furthermore, the absence of key socioeconomic variables, such as education, income, insurance status, and residential environment - prevents evaluation of their contributions to disparities in outcomes.

In conclusion, while mortality rates for both DCM and HCM have declined in the U.S. population from 1999 to 2023, marked disparities persist, particularly among the elderly, men, and non-Hispanic Black individuals. These inequities are likely driven by unequal access to specialized care, broader systemic healthcare barriers, and socioeconomic disadvantages. Addressing these challenges will require expanding healthcare access, strengthening early diagnostic strategies, and implementing targeted interventions for high-risk populations to promote more equitable outcomes.