Rates of heart disease are on the decline in those over the age of 40. The rate is down from 10 percent in 2001-2002 to eight percent in 2011-2012. Unfortunately, the rate of heart disease did not lower among those aged 40 to 59, but rates for those aged 60 and older fell from 19.5 percent to 15 percent.
Significant drops were seen among women, blacks, and whites. Having health insurance was associated with better outcomes, too.
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The study was carried out by the researchers from the CDC who attributed the decline to better management and prevention of modifiable risk factors such as cholesterol, blood pressure, smoking, diabetes, and obesity. Although cholesterol and blood pressure are not down, people are managing these conditions better.
Diabetes and obesity are on the rise. However, people are managing their high blood sugar – which could also be a contributing factor – better.
Lead study author Sung Sug (Sarah) Yoon said the decline in heart disease rates “could relate to general trends in lifestyle changes, such as improved diet, increased level of physical activity, or other factors such as prophylactic aspirin use among U.S. adults.”
“Furthermore, anti-smoking prevention efforts have resulted in a decreased prevalence of cigarette smoking, which may have contributed to the decrease in coronary heart disease prevalence,” she concluded.
Also, read Bel Marra Health’s article: Heart Disease Facts: Data and Statistics.
Mohan Garikiparithi got his degree in medicine from Osmania University (University of Health Sciences). He practiced clinical medicine for over a decade before he shifted his focus to the field of health communications. During his active practice he served as the head of the Dept. of Microbiology in a diagnostic centre in India. On a three-year communications program in Germany, Mohan developed a keen interest in German Medicine (Homoeopathy), and other alternative systems of medicine. He now advocates treating different medical conditions without the use of traditional drugs. An ardent squash player, Mohan believes in the importance of fitness and wellness.
