Heart Disease Could Affect 60% of US Adults by 2050, Studies Say

It’s not news that heart disease has been the leading cause of death in the U.S. for more than a century. And despite public health efforts to lower heart disease rates in the U.S., it continues to lead in mortality causes. In fact, within the next 30 years, heart disease and stroke rates will rise high enough to affect at least 60% of American adults, according to two presidential advisories published in Circulation, the flagship journal of the American Heart Association.

“Over the years, the medical and public health communities have made meaningful headway controlling cholesterol and reducing smoking,” says Bernard Kaminetsky, MD, medical director, MDVIP. “But we haven’t conquered other significant heart disease risk factors like obesity and type 2 diabetes. These advisories forecast the burden cardiovascular disease will have on the U.S. in just a couple of decades and provide insight as to the root problems.”

Researchers analyzed data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey between 2015 and March 2020 and the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey between 2015 and 2019 to estimate future levels of cardiovascular disease. Their report compared the prevalence of risk factors in 2020 and to what they believe it will be in 2050:

•    High blood pressure will increase from 51.2% to 61.0%.
•    Diabetes will increase from 16.3% to 26.8%.  
•    Obesity will increase from 43.1% to 60.6%.
•    High cholesterol will decrease from 45.8% to 24.0%.
•    Poor diet, sedentariness and smoking are expected to continue to decrease. 
•    Sleep deprivation will worsen.

They also found an upsurge in the prevalence of cardiovascular diseases between 2020 and 2050.
•    Coronary artery disease will increase from 7.8% to 9.2%.
•    Heart failure will increase from 2.7% to 3.8%.
•    Stroke will increase from 3.9% to 6.4%.
•    Atrial fibrillation will increase from 1.7% to 2.4%.
•    Total cardiovascular disease will increase from 11.3% to 15.0%.

“From what I understand, researchers feel the problem stems from changes in our demographics. The overall US population is aging, raising the risk for heart disease and its risk factors. And the ethnic makeup of our country includes more African/Caribbean, Latino and Asian Americans; these ethnic groups have higher rates of heart disease,” says Kaminetsky. “Another problem is our younger generations are exhibiting heart disease risk factors at much younger ages.”

A second report focused on the economic burden heart disease will have on U.S. through 2050. Researchers used nationally representative health, economic and demographic data to forecast healthcare costs associated with heart disease and its risk factors, including high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol and conditions such as coronary heart disease, stroke, heart failure and atrial fibrillation through 2050. After adjusting for annual inflation rates, researchers estimate that:
•    Costs to treat heart disease risk factors will triple between 2020 and 2050, going from $400 billion to $1,344 billion.
•    Costs to treat heart disease will almost quadruple, going from $393 billion to $1,490 billion.
•    Loss in work productivity related to heart disease will rise by 54%, going from $234 billion to $361 billion.
•    Stroke is cardiovascular condition that is expected to account for the largest amounts of costs.

“Escalating healthcare costs are problematic for many Americans. They cause people to postpone office visits, delay treatments and skip filling prescriptions. It also can affect the quality of healthcare,” Kaminetsky says. “Fortunately, there are steps you can take to help prevent and control heart disease.”

Lowering Your Heart Disease Risk Factors
Here are some steps to take to help lower your risk for developing heart disease and its complications.
•    Understand your heart disease risk
•    Prevent inflammation
•    Eat a heart healthy diet
•    Exercise
•    Get enough sleep
•    Quit smoking
•    Limit alcohol
•    Visit your dentist
•    Manage blood pressure
•    Watch your cholesterol and triglycerides 
•    Maintain a healthy body composition
•    Control depression
•    Handle stress

“Most importantly, work with your doctor,” says Kaminetsky. “They can help you live a heart healthy lifestyle, stay on top of your screenings and refer you to specialists.”

If you don’t have a doctor, consider joining an MDVIP-affiliated practice. They more have time to help you in your pursuit of a healthier lifestyle, which can help lower your risk for heart disease and its complications. Find a physician near you and begin your partnership in health »