Daijiworld Media Network- Washington
Washington, Jun 26: In what appears to be both a triumph and a warning, a new study has revealed that while heart attack-related deaths in the United States have plummeted by 89% since 1970, other heart-related illnesses are now claiming more lives than ever.
The study, published in the Journal of the American Heart Association, shows that improved diagnosis, treatment, and prevention strategies have dramatically reduced deaths caused by acute myocardial infarction—commonly known as heart attacks—leading to a 66% decline in overall heart disease deaths among adults aged 25 and above.
“This is a success story in public health and modern medicine,” said Dr. Sara King, lead author and internal medicine resident at Stanford University. “We've evolved tremendously in understanding and treating heart disease over the last five decades.”
The significant decline is attributed to:
• Preventive efforts like anti-smoking campaigns and better blood pressure/cholesterol management
• Quicker responses, thanks to CPR awareness and advanced emergency systems
• Innovative treatments, including stents, better drugs, and improved critical care
Heart attacks, which once accounted for over 50% of all heart-related deaths, now represent less than one-third.
While heart attacks become less deadly, other cardiovascular threats are rising sharply, painting a more complex picture of the nation’s heart health crisis.
1. Arrhythmias – Deaths up 450%
Irregular heartbeats are emerging as one of the deadliest threats. Atrial fibrillation alone affects over 10 million Americans and significantly increases the risk of stroke and heart failure.
2. Heart Failure – Deaths up 146%
Despite medical advances, heart failure cases are surging. Over 6.7 million Americans live with it today, and numbers are projected to rise to 11 million by 2050. Worryingly, Black, American Indian, and Alaska Native communities face the steepest mortality curves.
3. Hypertensive Heart Disease – Deaths up 106%
Caused by prolonged high blood pressure, hypertensive heart disease has doubled in death rate since 1970 and is accelerating at nearly 5% annually post-2011. It’s a major contributor to both heart failure and stroke in older adults.
According to the researchers, several underlying risk factors are driving the rise in these chronic heart conditions:
• Obesity: Nearly 40% of American adults are obese, up from just 15% in the 1970s.
• Hypertension: Now affects nearly half of adults.
• Type 2 Diabetes: On the rise and deeply intertwined with cardiovascular risk.
• An Aging Population: More people are living longer, long enough to develop chronic heart diseases.
Further compounding the issue is inequitable access to healthcare. Underserved and low-income communities often face barriers to early intervention and long-term management of these conditions.
“The fight isn’t over,” said Dr. Latha Palaniappan, senior author of the study and associate dean for research at Stanford. “As people now survive heart attacks, we’re seeing new cardiovascular challenges emerging. Prevention needs to evolve.”
Dr. King echoed this sentiment: “We’ve won a major battle against heart attacks, but the war on heart disease is far from finished. The next frontier must focus on helping people age with healthier hearts and avoid long-term cardiovascular decline.”
As heart disease remains the leading cause of death globally, experts are calling for a renewed public health strategy that doesn’t just prevent heart attacks, but also aggressively addresses the silent rise of arrhythmias, heart failure, and hypertensive heart disease—the new face of America’s cardiac crisis.