A new study reveals that heart disease deaths among US adults have dropped by 66% over the past five decades. While heart attack deaths decreased by nearly 90%, deaths from other types of heart disease, including arrhythmia and hypertensive heart disease, increased by 81%.
The decline in overall heart disease death rates is attributed to advancements in understanding and treating heart disease, as well as a reduction in acute cardiac events that were once considered fatal. However, the positive trend has been offset by an increase in deaths from chronic conditions such as arrhythmia and heart failure.
Experts warn that rising cardiovascular risks, including obesity, diabetes, and aging, contribute to this phenomenon. Obesity prevalence rose from 15% in 1970 to 40% in 2022, while Type 2 diabetes impacts nearly half of all adults in the US. High blood pressure increased from 30% to nearly 50%.
The study’s findings also highlight the importance of prevention and early intervention in addressing heart disease. Senior author Dr. Latha Palaniappan emphasized that helping people age with strong, healthy hearts requires a focus on preventing events, which can start as early as childhood.
According to lead study author Dr. Sara King, there have been significant strides made in treating initial acute cardiac events, but the likelihood of developing chronic disabilities remains high. The study’s authors stress that heart disease is not a problem that has gone away, but rather one that requires continued attention and prevention efforts.
Source: https://www.ksl.com/article/51335151/deaths-from-heart-attacks-are-way-down-heres-whats-killing-us-instead