Heart Disease Facts
Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States.1 People of all ages and backgrounds can get the condition.
America's Heart Disease Burden
- In 2006, 631,636 people died of heart disease. Heart disease caused 26% of deaths—more than one in every four—in the United States.
- Heart disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women. Half of the deaths due to heart disease in 2006 were women.
- Coronary heart disease is the most common type of heart disease. In 2005, 445,687 people died from coronary heart disease.
- Every year about 785,000 Americans have a first heart attack. Another 470,000 who have already had one or more heart attacks have another attack.
- In 2010, heart disease will cost the United States $316.4 billion. This total includes the cost of health care services, medications, and lost productivity.
Deaths Vary by Ethnicity
Heart disease is the leading cause of death for people of most ethnicities in the United States, including African Americans, American Indians or Alaska Natives, Hispanics, and whites. Below is the percentage of all deaths caused by heart disease in 2004, listed by ethnicity.
| Race of Ethnic Group | % of Deaths |
|---|---|
| African Americans | 25.8 |
| American Indians or Alaska Natives | 19.8 |
| Asians or Pacific Islanders | 24.6 |
| Hispanics | 22.7 |
| Whites | 27.5 |
| All | 27.2 |
Deaths Vary by Geography
Across the United States, death rates due to heart disease in 2006 were highest in Mississippi and lowest in Minnesota.
Risk Prevention for Heart Disease
- For people with heart disease, studies have shown that lowering cholesterol and blood pressure levels can reduce the risk of—
- Dying from heart disease.
- Having a nonfatal heart attack.
- Needing heart bypass surgery or angioplasty.
- For people without heart disease, lowering cholesterol and blood pressure levels can reduce the risk for developing heart disease.
Early Action is Key to Preventing a Heart Attack
- In a 2005 survey, most respondents—92%—recognized chest pain as a symptom of a heart attack. Only 27% were aware of all major symptoms and knew to call 9-1-1 when someone was having a heart attack.
- About 47% of sudden cardiac deaths occur outside a hospital. This suggests that many people with heart disease don't act on early warning signs.
Americans at Risk for Heart Disease
Below is the percentage of U.S. adults with heart disease risk factors in 2005-2006.
| Risk Factor | % |
|---|---|
| Inactivity | 39.5 |
| Obesity | 33.9 |
| High Blood Pressure | 30.5 |
| Cigarette Smoking | 20.8 |
| High Cholesterol | 15.6 |
| Diabetes | 10.1 |
In 2003, approximately 37% of adults reported having two or more of the risk factors listed above.