Abstract
<title>Abstract</title> <p> <bold>Introduction:</bold> Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are recognized as one of the leading causes of premature mortality worldwide and, in recent years, have imposed an increasing burden on health systems. This study aimed to calculate the Years of Life Lost (YLL) attributable to CVD over 12 years in West Azerbaijan Province, Iran. <bold>Materials and Methods:</bold> This population-based historical cohort study examined trends in mortality and YLL due to CVD in West Azerbaijan Province. The required data were extracted from the Iranian Ministry of Health and Medical Education’s system for the registration and classification of causes of death and were used to compute the YLL indicator for CVD. Temporal trends were evaluated using Joinpoint regression analysis, and statistically significant change‑points and the annual percent change (APC) were estimated. <bold>Results:</bold> Over the 12 years, 74,771 deaths due to CVD were recorded in the province. Of these, 62.0% (46,367 deaths) occurred among men, and 33.7% (27,954 deaths) occurred in the 15–29‑year age group. The total YLL during the 12 years was 165,737 years among men (equivalent to 8 years per 1,000 population) and 117,999 years among women (equivalent to 6 years per 1,000 population). Based on the trend analysis, the YLL indicator for CVD showed no statistically significant change over the 12-year study period. The average annual percent change (AAPC) was −0.33%, indicating relative stability of this indicator during the interval under investigation. <bold>Conclusion:</bold> CVDs caused a high and persistent burden of premature mortality in West Azerbaijan over 12 years, with no significant change in YLL trends. These findings highlight the urgent need for targeted and sustained public health interventions. </p>