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Heart Disease Still Top Killer, But Deaths Decline
22 Jan
Summary
- Heart disease and stroke remain top US killers, causing over a quarter of 2023 deaths.
- Deaths from heart disease and stroke fell in 2023, the first decline in five years.
- Contributing factors like high blood pressure and obesity continue to rise in adults.
Heart disease and stroke continue to be the primary causes of death in the United States. In 2023, these conditions accounted for more than a quarter of all U.S. deaths. Heart disease was linked to 22% of fatalities, while stroke caused over 5%.
For the first time in five years, the overall number of deaths related to heart conditions saw a decline in 2023. Heart disease deaths fell to 349,470 from 371,506 in 2022, and stroke deaths decreased slightly to 162,639 from 165,393.
Despite this positive trend, risk factors for cardiovascular disease are increasing. High blood pressure now affects approximately 125.9 million U.S. adults. Diabetes impacts about 29.5 million, and roughly half of all adults are obese.
The report also highlights a concerning rise in cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic (CKM) syndrome, affecting nearly 90% of adults. This syndrome links heart disease, kidney disease, diabetes, and obesity. Alarmingly, over 80% of young and middle-aged adults show early signs of CKM syndrome.
The American Heart Association's Life's Essential 8 guidelines, which promote healthy lifestyle behaviors and factors, can reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke by 74%. However, adherence to these guidelines remains low, with only a quarter of adults meeting physical activity recommendations.
