Statistics to Know For American Heart Month

Heart health should be of the utmost importance to any person concerned about their long-term health and wellbeing. The heart is among the most vital organs in the human body and a healthy heart is essential for healthy living. In honor of the upcoming American Heart Month this February, our healthcare providers at Abraham Family Medicine wanted to present some helpful and informative statistics about heart disease and its prevalence. After all, heart disease remains the leading cause of death in the US year after year. All figures below were collected by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).

• Approximately every 36 seconds, one person in the United States dies from cardiovascular disease.
• Roughly 659,000 Americans die from heart disease each year, meaning that it is responsible for about 1 in every 4 deaths annually.
• Coronary artery disease is the most common form of heart disease, resulting in just under half of all heart disease deaths each year.
• About 18.2 Americans above the age of 20 (nearly 7%) have coronary artery disease.
• The overwhelming majority (about 80%) of coronary artery disease deaths happen in adults 65 and up.
• Every year, roughly 805,000 people in the US (or one person every 40 seconds) have a heart attack.
• About 1 in every 5 heart attacks is silent, meaning the person is not even aware that they have experienced it.
• Heart disease costs the US about $363 billion annually, including the cost of healthcare services, medicines, and lost productivity due to illness and death.

With these statistics in mind, it’s helpful to remember that there are meaningful steps that can be taken to reduce a person’s risk of heart disease. We recommend maintaining a nutritious, balanced diet and getting regular daily exercise, or another form of physical activity, to help keep a healthy body weight. It’s important to speak to your healthcare provider about your cholesterol levels if they are elevated. Smoking and drinking alcohol in excess can also negatively impact heart health.

Meeting with your healthcare provider for an annual wellness check-up can provide a perfect opportunity to gain a better understanding of your heart health and learn what you can be doing better to promote long-term health and wellness. For more information or to schedule an appointment, contact Abraham Family Medicine. Our office is located in Snellville, not far from Grayson, Dacula, and Lilburn.