After decades of steady decline, CVD deaths are on the rise again in the U.S.
Nearly half (48%, 121.5 million in 2016) of all adults in the U.S. have some type of cardiovascular disease, according to the American Heart Association’s (AHA) Heart and Stroke Statistics—2019 Update, published in the association’s journal Circulation.
The AHA Association publishes the definitive statistical update annually to provide a comprehensive resource of the most current data, relevant scientific findings and assessment of the impact of cardiovascular disease (CVD) nationally and globally. The annual update represents a compilation of the newest, most relevant statistics on heart disease, stroke and cardiovascular risk factors impacting cardiovascular health and is gathered in conjunction with the National Institutes of Health and other government agencies.
Overall, cardiovascular disease is comprised of coronary heart disease, heart failure, stroke and high blood pressure. Excluding high blood pressure, CVD prevalence among adults in the U.S. is 9% overall (24.3 million in 2016).
Research shows approximately 80% of all cardiovascular disease can be prevented by controlling high blood pressure, diabetes and high cholesterol, along with adopting healthy lifestyle behaviors such as not smoking. The health behaviors such as eating a healthy diet, engaging in physical activity and maintaining a healthy weight could have the most impact as they contribute to multiple conditions.
In the past 50 years, the number of adults who smoke has plummeted from 51% of males smoking in 1965 to 16.7% in 2015 and from 34% of females in 1965 to 13.6% in 2015 (age-adjusted rates).
The prevalence of physical inactivity among adults has decreased by more than a third (from 40.2% in 2005 to 26.9% in 2016).
Yet, exercise alone may not be enough, as the 2015 to 2016 prevalence of obesity was 39.6% of U.S. adults and 18.5% of youths, with 7.7% of adults and 5.6% of youth having severe obesity.
In a commentary posted on the Association’s Centers for Health Metrics and Evaluation website, Chief Science and Medical Officer of the American Heart Association Mariell Jessup, MD, explained why these annual updates are not just an interesting compilation of facts, but an important tool in the organization’s mission.