Cardiovascular Disease Continues as Leading Cause of Death in the US

The latest annual report from the American Heart Association (AHA) reiterates cardiovascular disease (CVD) as the primary cause of death in the United States. The report attributes this significant burden to the surge in risk factors associated with these diseases, such as hypertension and obesity.

The Rising Death Toll of CVD

“Nearly 2500 people in the US die from CVD every day,” stated Keith Churchwell, MD, volunteer president of the AHA. “These statistics are alarming not only to me but to all of us because it’s likely we’ll lose friends and loved ones to heart disease and stroke.”

Churchwell added that CVD and stroke together claim more lives than all cancers and accidental deaths combined, making them the second and third leading causes of death in the United States.

The Role of CVK-M Syndrome

A recent AHA presidential advisory recognized cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic (CKM) syndrome as a significant disorder. This condition links poor health outcomes with heart disease, chronic kidney disease, diabetes, and obesity.

The 2023 data shows that 47% of US adults have high blood pressure, with over 72% reporting unhealthy weight, and 42% being obese. Additionally, more than half—57%—of US adults have diabetes or obesity.

Health Disparities and Young People at Risk

The prevalence of obesity, diabetes, and hypertension varies among different demographics. Black women reported the highest rates of obesity (57.9%) and high blood pressure (58.4%), while Hispanic men had the highest reported diabetes rates (14.5%).

Obesity is also becoming more prevalent among children, with up to 40% of kids having unhealthy weight and 20% experiencing obesity. Excess weight contributes to approximately 1300 deaths daily and reduces life expectancy by up to 2.4 years.

The Female and Racial Health Threat

According to Latha P. Palaniappan, MD, MS, a professor of cardiovascular medicine at Stanford University, the impact of excess weight is twice as significant for women and higher for Black adults compared to white adults.

Palaniappan emphasized that obesity now poses a greater health threat than smoking, despite declining smoking rates in recent years. Excess weight is becoming the new smoking when it comes to public health risks.

Future Outlook and Actionable Steps

In an accompanying editorial, Dhruv S. Kazi, MD, MSc, MSc, from Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, highlighted projections indicating that prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors will continue to rise in the coming decades. Kazi stressed the need for more strategies to reduce CVD rates in the US.

Action Needed: Protecting Public Health

The statistics and insights provided by leading cardiologists and researchers emphasize the urgent need for actionable measures to combat cardiovascular disease. By addressing risk factors like hypertension, obesity, and diabetes, we can take significant strides in reducing the staggering death toll associated with CVD.

It’s crucial for individuals and communities to prioritize heart health through regular check-ups, healthy lifestyle choices, and support for at-risk populations.

If these issues resonate with you, please share your thoughts in the comments below. Consider subscribing to stay informed about the latest health news and actions you can take to protect your heart and the hearts of those around you.