Report: 61% of US adults will have cardiovascular disease by 2050

The American Heart Association warns that 61% of American adults will likely have some type of cardiovascular disease in the next 30 years as high blood pressure, diabetes and obesity become more common.

“We recognize that the landscape of cardiovascular health will change over the next three decades due to the coming tsunami of rising health care costs, an older population living longer, and an increasing number of people from the resource population. insufficient,” said AHA CEO Nancy Brown. a statement.

Cardiologist and health economist Dhruv Kazi predicts an “almost perfect storm” that will see the prevalence of high blood pressure rise from 51.2% to 61%, obesity rise from 43.1% to 60.6% and diabetes rise from 16.3% in 26.8%.

As a result, more than 184 million Americans will be diagnosed with cardiovascular disease by 2050, up from 128 million in 2020, according to AHA projections released Tuesday.

The organization said the disease will come with a price tag of $1.8 trillion, which includes $1.4 trillion in direct health care costs, as well as “indirect costs,” such as premature death and lost economic productivity. The AHA reports that direct health care costs for cardiovascular disease reached $393 billion in 2020.

Heart disease has been the leading cause of death in the US since the AHA was founded in 1924, while stroke is the fifth leading cause of death.

Cardiovascular disease refers to several conditions, including heart attack, heart failure, heart arrhythmias, vascular disease, congenital heart defects, stroke, and high blood pressure.

There is some good news amid the gloomy reviews. The AHA expects people to become more physically active, smoking to become less popular, and eating habits to improve slightly in the coming years.

The organization says the approval of GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy also “could lead to a sea change in our medical approach” to diabetes and obesity.

Meanwhile, the AHA is calling for widespread access to quality, affordable health care and more funding for advanced research in cardiovascular prevention and treatment.

“Our aging population requires an improved cardiovascular workforce and infrastructure, including access to long-term care facilities and resources,” Brown said. “We need to better support our children and their families to recognize the impact that health choices made today will have on our health for years to come.”

How to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease

• Eat a diet that emphasizes whole foods, fruits, vegetables, lean protein, nuts, and seeds
• Include exercise in your daily routine – adults should get 2.5 hours of moderate physical activity or 75 minutes of vigorous activity per week, while children should get an hour each day.
• Stop using cigarettes, e-cigarettes and vaping
• Get more sleep – most adults need seven to nine hours a night, while children often need eight to 16 hours depending on their age
• Maintain a healthy weight
• Manage cholesterol, blood sugar and blood pressure