Medical Advances Reduce Heart Attack Deaths, But Increase Other Cardiovascular Risks
- Jul 1
- 2 min read
Updated: Jul 11
A new study published in the prestigious Journal of the American Heart Association brings us a mixed picture of cardiovascular health in the United States.
The good news is that we have achieved remarkable success: in the last 50 to 52 years, deaths from heart attacks have drastically decreased by almost 90%. Overall, the mortality rate for heart disease in adults over 25 has dropped by 66%. In fact, heart disease, which in 1970 accounted for 41% of all deaths, decreased to 24% in 2022. Dr. Sara King, the study's lead author, stated that "great strides have been made to help people survive acute cardiac events that were once considered a death sentence."
These medical advances are key: improved cardiac imaging, coronary stenting to open blocked arteries, and the development of drugs such as aspirin, thrombolytics, and statins have been fundamental. In addition, public health measures such as smoke-free policies, promoting exercise, and training in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) have also contributed to this achievement.
However, the report is not entirely positive. While heart attack deaths are decreasing, deaths from other heart conditions have significantly increased. The study found that deaths from heart failure, arrhythmias, and hypertensive heart disease rose an alarming 81% between 1970 and 2022. Particularly concerning is the 450% increase in the mortality rate for arrhythmias, a 146% for heart failure, and a 106% for hypertensive heart disease.
This shift is attributed, in part, to the fact that people who survive a heart attack now live longer, giving them the opportunity to develop other chronic conditions. But age is not the only factor. The study underscores the worrying rise in cardiovascular risk factors, such as obesity, which increased from 15% to 40% in recent decades, the increase in type 2 diabetes, and hypertension, which affects almost 50% of adults in 2022. Dr. Latha Palaniappan, co-author of the study, warns that "all these risk factors contribute to a continuing burden of heart disease."
Despite the achievements against heart attacks, heart disease remains the leading cause of death in the United States. This poses a new challenge for medicine: focusing on the prevention and management of these chronic conditions that affect people as they age. It is crucial for the population to adopt healthy lifestyle habits and maintain constant monitoring with their doctors to ensure a healthy heart at all stages of life.
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