Why Heart Disease Remains the Leading Cause of Death in the U.S.?
© atlascompany / Freepik
Why is heart disease still the leading cause of death in the U.S. despite decades of medical advancements?
Heart disease continues to dominate as the leading cause of death in the United States, claiming more lives than all forms of cancer and accidents combined. In 2022 alone, cardiovascular disease was responsible for a staggering 941,652 deaths, according to the American Heart Association (AHA).
Despite advancements in medical treatments, the numbers are rising, with more lives lost to heart disease in 2022 than in the previous year. But what’s driving this epidemic, and what can we do to protect ourselves?
Leading Cause of Death in the U.S.
Coronary heart disease tops the list of cardiovascular-related deaths, accounting for nearly 40% of cases. Stroke follows closely, contributing to 17.6% of deaths, while other conditions like hypertensive diseases, heart failure, and arterial diseases make up the rest.
The AHA also reveals that nearly half of U.S. adults (48.6%) had some form of cardiovascular disease between 2017 and 2020.
| Cause of Death | Number of Deaths |
|---|---|
| Heart disease | 702,880 |
| Cancer | 608,371 |
| Accidents (unintentional injuries) | 227,039 |
| COVID-19 | 186,552 |
| Stroke (cerebrovascular diseases) | 165,393 |
| Chronic lower respiratory diseases | 147,382 |
| Alzheimer’s disease | 120,122 |
| Diabetes | 101,209 |
| Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome, and nephrosis | 57,937 |
| Chronic liver disease and cirrhosis | 54,803 |
Mortality in the United States
Certain communities are disproportionately affected. For instance, 59% of non-Hispanic Black women and 58.9% of non-Hispanic Black men live with cardiovascular disease. These disparities highlight the urgent need for equitable access to healthcare and early prevention strategies.
The Role of Risk Factors
High blood pressure, high cholesterol, smoking, obesity, and diabetes are the primary culprits behind heart disease. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that nearly half of Americans have at least one of these risk factors. Early detection and management are critical, yet many people remain unaware of their condition until it’s too late.
Dr. Keith Churchwell, a Yale School of Medicine professor and AHA volunteer president, emphasizes the importance of tackling these risk factors head-on.
“We need to stop these risk factors in their tracks and keep people healthy throughout their lifespan,” he says. “This requires a strong focus on early prevention and ensuring everyone has access to quality healthcare.”
How to Protect Your Heart?
The good news? Heart disease is largely preventable. The AHA’s Life’s Essential 8 provides a roadmap for heart health, including getting 7–9 hours of sleep nightly, engaging in 2.5 hours of moderate exercise weekly, and maintaining a balanced diet.
Nutrition plays a pivotal role. Julianna Lyle, a Rural Health and Nutrition Extension Agent, warns against the convenience of fast and prepackaged foods, which are often loaded with unhealthy fats, sugars, and sodium. Instead, she recommends whole foods like fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and low-fat dairy.
Physical activity is equally important. “The heart is a muscle,” Lyle explains. “It needs to be worked just like any other muscle in the body”.
Regular exercise, combined with healthy eating and adequate sleep, can significantly reduce your risk of heart disease.
A Call to Action
Heart disease may be the nation’s leading killer, but it doesn’t have to be your fate. By understanding the risks, making informed lifestyle choices, and advocating for equitable healthcare, we can turn the tide on this silent epidemic.
As Dr. Wes Stubblefield of the Alabama Department of Public Health aptly puts it, “We should be thinking about this every day of our lives.”
The time to act is now—your heart depends on it.
You may also like: Could Your Personality Traits Be the Key To Alzheimer’s Prevention?
