Deaths by heart diseases in the U.S. 1950-2019

The number of deaths caused by heart disease has decreased in the United States from 321.8 per 100,000 population in 1990 to 161.5 deaths per 100,000 population in 2019. Nevertheless, heart disease is still the leading cause of death in the country, followed closely by cancer, which has a mortality rate of 146.2 per 100,000 people.

Heart disease in the U.S.



Diseases of the heart and blood vessels are often associated with atherosclerosis which occurs when plaque builds up along arterial walls. This can limit the flow of blood and can lead to blood clots, a common cause of stroke or heart attacks. Other types of heart disease include arrhythmia (abnormal heart rhythms) and heart valve problems. Many of these diseases can be treated with medication, although many complications will still remain. One of the leading cholesterol lowering drugs in the United States, Crestor, generated around 1.2 billion U.S. dollars of revenue in 2021.

Risk Factors for heart disease

There are many risk factors associated with the development of heart disease including family history, ethnicity, and age. However, there are other factors that can be modified through lifestyle changes such as physical inactivity, smoking, and unhealthy diets. Obesity has also been commonly associated with risk factors like hypertension and diabetes type II. In the U.S., some 30 percent of white adults are currently obese.