Cardiac disease has been the world’s leading cause of death for more than a century, and experts predict it will become even more prevalent in the decades to come.
A report released this month by the American Heart Association (AHA) predicts that at least six in ten American adults could suffer from cardiovascular disease in the next 30 years.
The rate of hypertension (high blood pressure) – which is one of the main risk factors for heart disease – is expected to increase from 51.2% in 2020 to 61.0% in 2050.
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Diabetes, another major risk factor, is also expected to increase (from 16.3% to 26.8%). with obesity (43.1% to 60.6%), according to the study published in the journal AHA Circulation.
As a result, the total number of cardiovascular diseases is expected to increase by 11.3% to 15.0% between 2020 and 2050.
Heart disease has been the leading cause of death worldwide for more than a century, and experts predict it will become even more prevalent in the decades to come. (iStock)
“The cardiovascular disease landscape in the United States is seeing the arrival of a near-perfect storm,” Dr. Dhruv S. Kazi, vice chair of the editorial advisory group and a Boston cardiologist, said in a press release.
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“The past decade has seen an increase in cardiovascular risk factors, such as uncontrolled high blood pressure, diabetes and obesity, each increasing the risk of developing heart disease and stroke,” he said. -he continued.
“It is not surprising that a huge increase in cardiovascular risk factors and disease creates a substantial economic burden.”
Due to the risk factors identified in the study, the total number of cardiovascular diseases is expected to increase by 11.3% to 15.0% between 2020 and 2050. (iStock)
On a positive note, researchers determined that high cholesterol (high levels of LDL, or “bad cholesterol”) would decrease (from 45.8% to 24.0%).
They also predicted that diet, exercise and smoking habits will improve, although sleep quality is expected to deteriorate.
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Researchers analyzed data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey from 2015 to March 2020 and the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey from 2015 to 2019.
“We projected out to 2050, overall and by age, race, and ethnicity, accounting for changes in disease prevalence and demographics,” they wrote.
“(The) most unfavorable trends are expected to be worst among people identifying as American Indian/Alaska Native or multiracial, black or Hispanic.”
According to the American Heart Association, Life’s Essential 8 includes the following eight lifestyle behaviors for optimal heart health. (iStock/American Heart Association)
The study looked for trends in cardiovascular risk factors based on adverse Life’s Essential 8 levels and clinical outcomes. cardiovascular disease and stroke.
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According to the AHA, Life’s Essential 8 includes the following eight lifestyle behaviors for optimal heart health:
- Follow a healthy sleep schedule
- NO SMOKING
- Become regular physical activity
- Adhere to a healthy diet
- Maintain a healthy weight
- Maintain healthy blood sugar levels
- Maintain good health cholesterol level
- Maintain healthy blood pressure
Overall, the report predicts that clinical cardiovascular disease (affecting the heart or blood vessels) will affect 45 million adults by 2050, and that clinical cardiovascular disease (including hypertension) will affect more than 184 million adults.
Overall, the report predicts that clinical cardiovascular disease (affecting the heart or blood vessels) will affect 45 million adults by 2050, and that clinical cardiovascular disease (including hypertension) will affect more than 184 million adults. (iStock)
“The prevalence of many cardiovascular risk factors and most established diseases will increase over the next 30 years,” the researchers say.
Renato Apolito, MD, medical director of the cardiac catheterization laboratory at Hackensack Meridian Jersey Shore University Medical Center, was not involved in the AHA study but shared his perspective on the findings.
“We are all under a lot of pressure and stress to work more to make ends meet.”
One key factor is the projected increase in obesity in the coming decades, Apolito said in an interview with Fox News Digital.
“Obesity is very often associated with hypertension, diabetes, Sleep Apnea and hypertriglyceridemia,” he said.
Some of the main causes of obesity are lack of exercise and heavy reliance on processed foods and fast food, he noted.
Some of the main causes of obesity are lack of exercise and heavy reliance on processed foods and fast food, a cardiologist said. (iStock)
“I suspect that as our standard of living increases, our reliance on processed and pre-prepared foods – in addition to lack of exercise and lack of sleep due to our busy work lives – will increase obesity as the common denominator leading to all the other risk factors mentioned,” Apolito predicted.
“All of these factors combined would lead to an increase in coronary heart disease, heart failure and stroke.”
Reduce risk
“Clinic and public health interventions are needed to effectively manage, stem and even reverse these adverse trends,” the researchers advised.
Apolito agreed that change was needed.
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“We are all under a lot of pressure and stress to work more to make ends meet,” he said.
“This usually leads to the poor lifestyle habits mentioned above.”
The doctor recommends starting small, spending just 10 to 20 minutes a day doing some form of exercise and making conscious decisions to avoid processed foods and fast foods.
One cardiologist recommends starting small, spending just 10 to 20 minutes a day doing some form of exercise and making conscious decisions to avoid processed foods and fast foods. (iStock)
“You would maintain a healthier weightwhich would mitigate your risk of hypertension, diabetes, sleep apnea, dyslipidemia and ultimately cardiovascular disease,” he said.
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Apolito also emphasized that the study is speculative, using predictive models on data from the past and present to predict the future – “which is never easy to do.”
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“Hopefully with increased public education we can reverse the trend and improve overall health in the decades to come by making healthy lifestyle choices,” he added.