In general, heart disease can describe congenital heart defects, coronary artery disease, rhythm conditions, and many other illnesses. Getting to know these issues might save your life. For this reason, we present to you here plenty of essential heart disease statistics.
Oftentimes, numerous symptoms are associated with cardiovascular diseases. These include, but are not limited to, chest pain, chest pressure, shortness of breath, weakness, light-headedness, fainting, slow heartbeats, racing heartbeats, swelling, and more.
Unfortunately, at the moment, heart disease represents one of the world’s leading causes of death. Thankfully, numerous forms of heart disease can be prevented, granted that people follow a healthy and active lifestyle.
The heart disease statistics and facts that are outlined as part of this article are meant to put things better into perspective, while helping people understand the severity of heart conditions, alongside what is currently being done to reduce the prevalence of the disease.
Keeping a close watch on cardiac health is essential to living a healthy life. After all, it is the leading cause of death worldwide. As such, this piece will focus on several aspects, including heart disease statistics worldwide, the link between heart disease and smoking, and the number of heart attacks on a yearly basis.
We hope that these stats will help highlight the main medical conditions that patients are dealing with, while also highlighting what’s being done in terms of prevention. Without further ado, it is time to start the article with some general stats on the number of yearly heart attacks.
2020 COVID-19 Pandemic Heart Disease Statistics
COVID-19 is particularly dangerous for people with pre-existing heart conditions.
Research shows that 10% of COVID-19 patients who have pre-existing heart conditions die, in contrast with only 1% of patients who don’t have CVD (cardiovascular disease).
According to the World Health Organization (WHO) people – especially the elder – with pre-existing health issues such as CVD, diabetes, and asthma are more prone to get severely ill with the virus.
Moreover, having any of the following cardiac conditions can amplify the risk of dying from COVID-19:
- Coronary artery disease
- Heart failure
- Pulmonary hypertension
- Cardiomyopathies
Having other CVD or cerebrovascular disorders, such as stroke or hypertension may also increase your risk of austere illness and death from the virus.
During the pandemic in New York City, there was a 5.5 times increase in the number of out-of-hospital cardiac arrests and deaths compared to the years prior.
A new COVID-19 study reveals that the pandemic has substantially plummeted the diagnosis of heart disease, resulting in amplified cardiac mortality rates. Although the virus has taken a heart-wrenching number of lives, doctors worldwide are worried about its indirect effect on people with other medical conditions, such as CVD.
The study also shows that clinicians noticed a big plunge in hospitalizations for emergent cardiac conditions during the pandemics, such as heart attacks.
Some 11% of patients in the before-COVID-19 group died within 30 days compared to 21% of the after-COVID-19 group.
According to ESC Heart Failure research, if cardiac patients with a cardiac condition get COVID-19, their risk of dying will nearly double. Due to soaring CVD mortality rates during the pandemic, cardiac patients are viewed as a high-risk group and thus advised to maintain social distancing and take precautionary measures to prevent infection.
How Many Heart Attacks Are There per Year?
Roughly 805,000 heart attacks take place in the United States on a yearly basis.
At the moment, it is believed that heart disease represents the world’s number one cause of death. As you may already know, the end symptom of heart disease usually manifests itself in the form of a heart attack.
The fact that heart attacks can be random makes this disease scarier. However, research is currently underway to help determine the exact causes associated with heart attacks, in hopes of reducing this number.
Source: Million Hearts
How Many People Die from Heart Disease?
Worldwide, 17.9 million people die from cardiovascular diseases (CVDs).
According to the WHO, CVDs cause roughly 17.9 million deaths on a yearly basis across the world. Furthermore, it is believed that 31% of deaths are caused by this condition. Determining the exact number of heart attacks worldwide is very difficult due to the lack of available data.
Heart attack statistics estimate that the exact number is in the tens, if not hundreds of millions yearly.
Source: WHO
In the United States, 655,000 people die from heart disease every year.
According to a report that has been published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, it seems like one in four deaths is caused by CVDs in the US, as per heart disease statistics.
Source: CDC
Heart disease represents the no. 1 cause of death for both men and women.
However, it seems like the condition tends to affect men a bit more than women. This does not mean that women are safe. On the contrary, all genders must ensure they lead a healthy lifestyle to reduce the likelihood of developing a heart condition.
Source: CDC
Heart Disease Statistics Worldwide
Worldwide, 47% of cardiac arrest deaths happen outside the hospital.
Because of this, treating a heart attack becomes a lot difficult. In the case of heart diseases, time is of the essence.
This statistic also showcases that numerous people who live with heart disease fail to notice and act on the early warning signs. This may also indicate an education problem, as patients are often unaware of the signs, as heart health statistics report.
Source: CDC
Only 27% of US residents are aware of all heart attack symptoms.
On the other hand, the survey conducted in 2005 showcases that the main warning sign (chest pain) is recognized as a warning sign for an impending heart attack by 92% of respondents.
In general, noticing any early warning signs should be enough to convince individuals suffering from heart disease to contact emergency services, according to heart disease statistics.
Source: CDC
75% of cardiovascular disease-related deaths take place in low and middle-income countries.
According to the WHO, it seems like heart disease-related deaths are more common in countries with low and middle incomes than countries with a better quality of life, alongside higher income.
This showcases that the general state of the national healthcare industry is a direct factor that contributes to the percentage of CVDs that affect the population, as per heart disease rates.
Source: WHO
85% of all CVD deaths are caused by heart attacks and strokes worldwide.
According to the WHO, it looks like heart attacks and strokes are the leading causes of death for people suffering from heart disease. Other causes do exist, but their rates are much lower. This worrying stat indicates that the WHO and other organizations should do their best to educate people about healthy eating and living habits.
Source: WHO
Smoking And Heart Disease Statistics
Every year, secondhand smoking causes 34,000 deaths because of coronary heart disease in the United States.
As such, it looks like secondhand smoking is a direct cause of coronary heart disease. Because of this, it is essential for secondhand smokers to avoid spending too much time in the presence of a smoker, granted that the effects are real and dangerous.
Source: CDC
Those who breathe secondhand smoke increase their chances of developing a CDV by 25-30%.
Leaving aside the deaths for a moment, it is important to mention that developing a cardiovascular condition is a lot more likely if you are a secondhand smoker. While the disease may not lead directly to death, it will surely show its symptoms during your lifetime.
The heart attack rate is also fairly high for secondhand smokers. Because of this, more educational efforts are required to ensure that secondhand smokers are aware of the health dangers they are exposing themselves to. Many people seem to think it is only daily secondhand smoke that damages health, yet even occasional exposure might cause negative effects.
Source: CDC
Stroke risks are increased by 20-30% for those who breathe secondhand smoke.
Similarly, stroke stats also indicate that having a stroke is a lot more common in case you are a secondhand smoker, as opposed to people who do not breathe in smoke at all. This statistic helps clarify that secondhand smoke is not only responsible for cardiovascular diseases, but also for a variety of other health issues, including but not limited to, stroke, heart failure, and heart attacks.
Source: CDC
Coronary Artery Disease Statistics
It is believed that one in 13 Americans who are 18 and older suffer from coronary artery disease (CAD).
At the moment, CAD represents the number one form of heart disease, which seems to be spreading throughout the world. In fact, it represents the leading cause of death for US residents, regardless of race and ethnicity.
Unfortunately, nobody is safe, which is why we need more research and why it’s important to eat and exercise right.
Source: Continuing Education for Health Professionals
According to statistics concerning heart disease in America, CAD affects Hispanic Americans the most.
It is also important to mention that CAD affects Pacific Islanders, Alaska Natives, Asian Americans, and American Indians the least. Currently, it is unknown why specific races and ethnicities are affected more than others, but further research would hopefully shed some light on this phenomenon.
Source: Continuing Education for Health Professionals
CAD kills over 370,000 people in the US on a yearly basis.
According to heart disease in the USA statistics, CAD represents the most common type of heart disease but also one of the most deadly ones. Dealing with CAD has proven to be quite difficult. However, research is being carried out to help determine the causes, alongside better treatment plans.
In the long run, this would hopefully lead to the eradication of this disease or at least significantly reduce its prevalence.
Source: CDC
American Heart Association Statistics
Every year, around 805,000 Americans suffer a heart attack, out of which 605,000 suffer their first, whereas 200,000 suffer their second or third attack.
This statistic helps prove that suffering a heart attack does not entail certain death. Surviving one is very likely, especially if you contact emergency services quickly. Living a normal life afterward is also likely. However, it might be best to reduce the risk factor by making positive and healthy lifestyle choices.
Source: CDC
Heart Disease by State
Oklahoma has the highest death rate for heart disease.
Other states with high death rates include, but are not limited to, Mississippi, Arkansas, Alabama, Louisiana, Tennessee, Nevada, and Michigan. Local governments might want to concentrate their efforts on improving healthcare for patients suffering from heart disease.
Source: CDC
Minnesota has the lowest mortality rate for heart disease.
Other states with low death rates associated with CVDs include Colorado, Hawaii, Oregon, Massachusetts, and Alaska, as per heart disease in USA statistics. It is currently unknown why death rates are higher in certain states and lower in others.
Some may argue that this is related to access to healthcare and its overall quality. However, some causes for heart disease might be more prevalent in particular regions (more people smoke, higher pollution, lower rates of CVD-related education, etc.).
Source: CDC
Congestive Heart Failure Statistics
5.7 million adults living in the US suffer from congestive heart failure.
Although it tends to fluctuate in time, this is a huge number that showcases how bad things are at the moment. However, many of these people will lead better lives thanks to the latest medical developments.
In any case, we can assume that as a leading cause of heart attack deaths per year, this statistic is quite grim because it showcases the true prevalence of CDVs. As such, lowering this number should stand as one of the main concerns for the Federal Government.
At the time, a lot of research is actively being carried out to determine methods of preventing the appearance of congestive heart failure.
Source: CDC
One out of nine deaths in the US had heart failure as a cause.
This is yet another cardiovascular disease stat that proves heart failure is a leading cause of death for Americans. It is also essential to point out research conducted by the Division for Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention. It found that roughly 50% of people who develop heart failure conditions tend to die after five years of their diagnosis.
Source: CDC
$30.7 billion is the yearly cost associated with heart failure in the US.
Last but not least, we have another US heart disease statistics to present. On a yearly basis, roughly $30.7 billion is invested in taking care of those suffering from heart failure, but also in research and development, which will hopefully reduce the prevalence of this disease.
It has been determined that education on living a healthy lifestyle may reduce the overall cost associated with heart failure.
Source: CDC
According to the CDC, the biggest risk factors for heart failure are high blood pressure, diabetes, and coronary heart disease.
There are also several behaviors known to trigger the manifestation of heart failure, as highlighted by cardiovascular health statistics. These include smoking, obesity, lack of physical activity, but also having a diet that is largely based on foods high in sodium, fat, and cholesterol.
Ensuring that you do not fall into these risk categories is a strong step towards protecting yourself from the manifestation of congestive heart failure.
Source: CDC
The main symptoms associated with congestive heart failure (according to the CDC and the American Heart Association statistics) include shortness of breath, trouble breathing (especially while lying down on your stomach, sides, or back), swelling of the feet, stomach, and legs, alongside a general feeling of fatigue.
It is essential for people throughout the world to be well-versed in terms of the early warning signs. After all, timely detection is crucial to ensuring that you keep your heart healthy.
Source: CDC
So how many Americans die from heart disease, more specifically, from CHF?
Well, the actual numbers vary, yet it is important to keep in mind that one out of nine deaths had congestive heart failure as a contributing factor. It is also estimated that 50% of people suffering from this condition die within five years from the original diagnosis. This is mostly due to the fact that in many cases, this condition is in an advanced stage.
Source: CDC
Heart failure statistics show that the main treatment plans include medication, a drastic reduction in the intake of sodium, alongside living a more active lifestyle.
Of course, actual treatment plans depend on patient to patient, and it’s best to let your doctor decide what suits you most. These treatment plans are, therefore, not applicable to everyone, whereas prevention measures are.
Source: CDC
CVDs, including congestive heart failure, are known to cause 3.9 million deaths per year in the European Union, according to cardiovascular disease stats.
It is also important to mention that 1.8 million of these deaths take place in the European Union, where the quality of life and healthcare are both above worldwide averages.
Source: EHN Heart
Luckily, reports indicate that the mortality rates associated with heart diseases are slowly decreasing throughout Europe.
Trends showcase that massive growth in the mortality rate associated with CVDs was reported until the 21st century. According to the stats of heart disease, it is slowly declining. However, it doesn’t mean that the problem is less important. After all, CVDs account for 45% of deaths in Europe.
Source: EHN Heart
In Europe, it has been reported that women smoke as much as men, despite the fact that the overall prevalence of smoking throughout Europe has reduced over the last few years.
Through this statistic, we get to learn more about the link between heart disease (especially congestive heart failure), and the overall smoking trend. As such, statistics of heart disease showcase that reduction in smoking rates may also reduce the prevalence of such medical conditions.
Source: EHN Heart
How to Lower the Risk of Heart Disease?
Here are some of the most effective ways to prevent heart disease and stroke:
Control your blood pressure
High blood pressure is a leading factor in cardiac diseases. Therefore, we highly suggest you regularly get your BP checked (once a year at least). Additionally, adopt healthy habits to control and prevent high blood pressure.
Keep your cholesterol and triglyceride levels under control
High cholesterol and triglyceride can congest and block your arteries, increasing the risk of a stroke and other coronary artery diseases. Medication (if necessary) and healthy lifestyle changes can lower triglyceride and cholesterol levels.
Stay at a healthy weight
Maintaining a healthy weight is a crucial factor if you want to ensure heart safety. Obesity and being overweight can amplify the risk of cardiac arrest as they are linked to other CVD risk factors such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, etc. Therefore, maintain an ideal weight according to your age and height to have a healthy heart.
Eat a healthy diet
To ensure heart safety, try to eat healthy foods such as vegetables, fresh fruit, healthy fats, and whole grains. Try to limit the intake of saturated fats and foods that are high in sodium and sugar.
Get regular exercise
Exercising regularly has a myriad of benefits – it lowers and controls cholesterol, blood pressure and helps you maintain a healthy weight. Moreover, it strengthens the heart and aids blood circulation to prevent heart disease and stroke.
Limit alcohol
Excessive alcohol intake can elevate your blood pressure and add calories. All these are risk factors that will amplify the possibility of getting a cardiovascular disease. Research shows that men shouldn’t have more than 2 drinks in a day, whereas women should limit themselves to 1 drink to ensure heart safety.
Don't smoke
Smoking leads to higher blood pressure and by now, you should know why that’s not good for your heart. So, if you are not a smoker, don’t start. But If you do smoke, quitting can significantly lower your risk of getting cardiac disease. You can consult with a doctor and find the best way to quit.
Manage stress
Stress is a major risk factor for cardiac disease. It can increase blood pressure, make you overeat (gain weight), and amplify alcohol and drug intake. All these things are bad for your heart. Therefore, look for stress managing techniques that can help you let go and relax, such as exercising, meditation, yoga, etc.
Manage diabetes
Diabetes significantly increases the possibility of diabetic heart disease because high blood sugar can damage your nerves and vessels that control the heart. So, make sure you keep your blood sugar in check.
Conclusion
To make the world a better place, it is essential for healthcare professionals, investors, and governments to take an active stance against reducing the prevalence of the main causes of death, including CVDs and cancer, which hold the top two spots. We hope that the heart health statistics we listed in this article could help with this endeavor.
Cardiovascular diseases are preventable until a certain point, as having a healthy and active lifestyle contributes to a healthier heart. In all honesty, changing a poor lifestyle is not that hard. You should consult your doctor who will most certainly be able to recommend some good, healthy practices. According to heart disease statistics, your heart and overall health should improve long-term.
That said, educational efforts are also required to ensure that people are aware of the risks they expose themselves to when living unhealthy lifestyles. On the other hand, scientific research has concluded that genetics can also contribute to the appearance of CVDs. That said, there is no sure-fire way to prevent this disease apart from watching what you eat, your fitness activity, and your weight, according to current heart attack statistics.