1. Overview
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains the leading cause of death in the U.S., responsible for 941,652 deaths in 2022.
Nearly 48.6% of U.S. adults (about 128 million people) live with some form of CVD.
The annual economic burden exceeds $417.9 billion in combined direct and indirect costs (AHA, 2025 Update).
2. Prevalence by Age Group
| Age Group (Years) | Heart Disease Prevalence | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 18–44 | 0.9% | Early vascular damage begins |
| 45–64 | 5.9% | Rapid increase in risk factors |
| 65+ | 18.2% | Highest prevalence and mortality |
| All Adults | 5.0% (Coronary Heart Disease) | CDC data |
Stroke affects approximately 795,000 Americans each year, with 610,000 new cases and 17.5% of CVD deaths linked to stroke (CDC, 2024).
3. Key Symptoms
Cardiovascular Warning Signs:
- Chest pain or pressure
- Shortness of breath, fatigue
- Swelling in legs or ankles
- Dizziness or irregular heartbeat
Stroke Warning Signs (FAST):
- Face drooping
- Arm weakness
- Speech difficulty
- Time to call 911
4. Risk Factors
According to the CDC, only 36% of U.S. adults have no cardiovascular risk factors.
Nearly 29% have two or more, including hypertension, high cholesterol, diabetes, or obesity.
| Number of Risk Factors | % of U.S. Adults | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| None | 36.4% | Declines with age |
| One | 34.9% | Middle-aged most common |
| Two or more | 28.7% | Men higher than women |
5. Prevention and Early Screening
Early detection is critical since most CVD develops silently.
Recommended screening tests:
| Test | Frequency | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Blood pressure | Annually | Detect hypertension |
| Lipid panel | Every 4–6 years | Identify dyslipidemia |
| Fasting glucose / HbA1c | Every 3 years | Detect diabetes |
| Coronary calcium score (CAC) | Once for moderate/high-risk adults (45–75 yrs) | Quantify atherosclerosis |
| Carotid ultrasound / ABI | As needed | Detect vascular disease |
6. Lifestyle & Dietary Protection
- Adopt Mediterranean or DASH diet (fruits, vegetables, fish, whole grains, olive oil)
- Limit salt (<2300 mg/day), sugar, and processed foods
- Exercise 150 min/week
- Quit smoking, limit alcohol
- Manage stress and sleep (7–9 hours/day)
Up to 80% of heart disease and stroke events can be prevented through healthy lifestyle and early medical screening (CDC, 2024).
7. Elderly Care and Treatment
For adults 65+, treatment focuses on:
- Blood pressure and lipid control (ACE inhibitors, statins)
- Antiplatelet or anticoagulation therapy when indicated
- Regular follow-up for heart rhythm, kidney, and cognitive health
Integrated care improves survival and quality of life.
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains the leading cause of death in the U.S., responsible for 941,652 deaths in 2022.
Nearly 48.6% of U.S. adults (about 128 million people) live with some form of CVD.
The annual economic burden exceeds $417.9 billion in combined direct and indirect costs (AHA, 2025 Update).
❤️ Takeaway
CVD is largely preventable yet still claims nearly a million American lives each year.
Early screening, risk-factor management, and lifestyle modification remain the most powerful tools to prevent catastrophic events like heart attack and stroke.
👉 Schedule your heart health check-up today — prevention starts before symptoms appear