Heart disease remains the leading cause of death in the United States, according to the American Heart Association's 2025 Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics Update. The report, published in the journal Circulation, highlights that cardiovascular diseases claim more lives than cancer and accidental deaths combined. In 2022, cardiovascular disease (CVD) related deaths in the U.S. totaled 941,652, an increase from the previous year, despite a slight decrease in the age-adjusted death rate.
Dr. Keith Churchwell, president of the American Heart Association, emphasized the alarming statistics, noting that nearly 2,500 Americans die from cardiovascular disease daily. He stated, "Too many people are dying from heart disease and from stroke which remains the fifth-leading cause of death." The report also indicates that while medical advances have extended lives, risk factors such as high blood pressure, obesity, and diabetes continue to rise. These conditions are projected to affect millions more by 2050, significantly increasing healthcare costs.
Dr. Dhruv S. Kazi, an associate professor at Harvard Medical School, pointed out that cardiovascular disease does not affect everyone equally. Disparities exist among different sex and racial/ethnic groups, with Black women experiencing the highest rates of high blood pressure and obesity. The report also highlights a rise in chronic kidney disease, closely linked to cardiovascular risk factors.
The American Heart Association calls for tailored interventions to address these disparities and improve access to therapies. Dr. Churchwell stressed the importance of early prevention and equitable health access to combat these risk factors effectively.