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Heart Disease in the United States:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - Heart Disease Facts
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In 2008, over 616,000 people died of heart disease. Heart disease caused almost 25% of deaths—almost one in every four—in the United States.1
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Heart disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women. More than half of the deaths due to heart disease in 2008 were in men.1
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Coronary heart disease is the most common type of heart disease. In 2008, 405,309 people died from coronary heart disease.1
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Every year about 785,000 Americans have a first coronary attack. Another 470,000 who have already had one or more coronary attacks have another attack.2
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In 2010, coronary heart disease alone was projected to cost the United States $108.9 billion.3 This total includes the cost of health care services, medications, and lost productivity.
Heart disease is the leading cause of death for people of most ethnicities in the United States, including African Americans, Hispanics, and whites. For American Indians or Alaska Natives and Asians or Pacific Islanders, heart disease is second only to cancer.
Below is the percentage of all deaths caused by heart disease in 2008, listed by ethnicity.1
| Race of Ethnic Group |
% of Deaths |
|
African Americans
|
24.4 |
|
American Indians or Alaska Natives
|
17.9 |
|
Asian or Pacific Islanders
|
23.2 |
|
Hispanics
|
20.7 |
|
Whites
|
25.1 |
|
All
|
24.9 |
Below is the percentage of U.S adults with heart disease risk factors in 2005-20086
| Risk Factor |
% |
|
Inactivity
|
53 |
|
Obesity
|
34 |
|
High Blood Pressure
|
32 |
|
Cigarette Smoking
|
21 |
|
High Cholesterol
|
15 |
|
Diabetes
|
11 |
In 2003, approximately 37% of adults reported having two or more of the risk factors listed above.7
Across the United States, death rates due to heart disease in 2008 were highest in Mississippi and lowest in Minnesota.1
Risk Prevention
Early Action is Key
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In a 2005 survey, most respondents—92%—recognized chest pain as a symptom of a heart attack. Only 27% were aware of all major symptoms and knew to call 9-1-1 when someone was having a heart attack.4
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About 47% of sudden cardiac deaths occur outside a hospital. This suggests that many people with heart disease don't act on early warning signs.5
Heart Disease in the News
Optimism Reduces Risk of Heart Disease
April 23, 2012 -- A cheerful outlook on life may be good for your heart concludes new research on the impact of happiness and optimism on cardiovascular health. Scientists have known about the reverse relationship between psychological health and heart health for some time; studies show that depression and anxiety can worsen outcomes for heart patients. But the findings on happiness and its medical impact over the years have not been as consistent.
In a new analysis, researchers at Harvard sought a more definitive conclusion by reviewing the results of more than 200 studies looking at cardiovascular risks and emotional state, making this the largest report on the subject to date. Over all, the researchers found that traits like optimism and hope, and higher levels of happiness and satisfaction with one’s life, were linked with reductions in the risk of heart disease and stroke. (Read More)
Gum Disease Does Not Cause Heart Disease, Study Finds
April 23, 2012 -- An expert U.S. committee of cardiologists, dentists and infectious disease specialists found no conclusive evidence gum disease causes cardiovascular disease.
While, observational studies have noted associations between gum disease and cardiovascular disease, the 500 journal articles and studies reviewed by the committee didn't confirm a causative link, Dentist Peter Lockhart -- a co-chair of the statement-writing group and professor and chair of oral medicine at the Carolinas Medical Center in Charlotte, N.C, said. (Read More)
The Implant that Alerts You Before a Heart Attack
April 19, 2012 -- A new device that acts as an early warning system aims to curb the number of heart attack deaths in older adults. The AngelMed Guardian implant, which is featured in an upcoming issue of the journal Ergonomics in Design, could potentially save thousands of lives a year.
The device is surgically implanted under the skin like a pacemaker or defibrillator. Once it's in place, the AngelMed Guardian alerts the patient to an oncoming attack with vibrations, audible tones, and flashing warning lights beamed to an external, pager-like device. (Read More)
Additional Resources
References
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Miniño AM, Murphy SL, Xu J, Kochanek KD. Deaths: Final data for 2008. National Vital Statistics Reports; vol 59 no 10. Hyattsville, MD: National Center for Health Statistics. 2011.
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Roger VL, Go AS, Lloyd-Jones DM, et al. Heart disease and stroke statistics—2012 update: a report from the American Heart Association. Circulation. Epub 2011 Dec 15.
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Heidenreich PA, Trogdon JG, Khavjou OA, et al. Forecasting the future of cardiovascular disease in the United States: a policy statement from the American Heart Association. Circulation. 2011;123:933-44. Epub 2011 Jan 24.
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Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Disparities in Adult Awareness of Heart Attack Warning Signs and Symptoms—14 States, 2005. MMWR. 2008;57(7):175–179.
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Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. State Specific Mortality from Sudden Cardiac Death: United States, 1999. MMWR. 2002;51(6):123–126.
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National Center for Health Statistics. Health, United States, 2010: With Special Feature on Death and Dying. Hyattsville, MD.
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Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Racial/Ethnic and Socioeconomic Disparities in Multiple Risk Factors for Heart Disease and Stroke—United States, 2003. MMWR. 2005;54(5):113–117.
