For more than a century, heart disease has been the leading cause of death in the U.S. Although heart attacks used to be among the deadliest cardiac conditions, new research published in the Journal of the American Heart Association shows chronic heart diseases—such as heart failure, heart rhythm disorders and conditions related to high blood pressure—are the new heart disease-related killers.
Chronic Heart Disease Death Rates Rise
From 1970 to 2022, research from the American Heart Association showed the death rate from heart failure, heart rhythm disorders known as arrhythmias and heart disease related to high blood pressure increased by 81%—jumping from 9% of all heart disease deaths in 1970 to 47% of all heart disease deaths in 2022.
The study showed deaths from arrhythmias—also called heart rhythm disorders—increased by 450% during the same period, marking the largest relative increase among all chronic heart conditions. Atrial fibrillation is one of the most common arrhythmias, especially in older adults.
“Aging is a major risk factor for many cardiac conditions, so as our population gets older and people live longer, they are more likely to develop atrial fibrillation, heart failure or another cardiac disorder,” says Brenton Bauer, MD, director of the echocardiography lab, heart failure program and cardio-oncology program at Torrance Memorial Medical Center.
Factors That Raise Cardiac Risk
Lifestyle factors such as eating highly processed foods, lack of exercise, poor sleep quality and high stress levels—along with related health conditions such as sleep apnea, obesity, diabetes and high blood pressure—are also contributing to the rise in chronic heart disease deaths.
“Many people are living with undiagnosed or uncontrolled health conditions dramatically increasing their risk of developing chronic heart disease,” says Dr. Bauer. “Often, these conditions can be effectively managed with a combination of lifestyle changes and medication.”
Even though chronic heart disease deaths have risen, the research does provide some good news: Heart attack deaths have decreased by nearly 90% during the past 50 years, and overall heart disease deaths have decreased by 66% during the same period.
“It’s great news that overall heart disease deaths are down, which can be attributed to the success of primary preventive therapies such as lifestyle modifications, smoking cessation, and cholesterol and blood pressure medications,” says Dr. Bauer. “The fact more people than ever are surviving heart attacks can also be attributed to effective treatment with minimally invasive revascularization procedures, such as percutaneous coronary intervention with stenting. But even if someone survives a heart attack, it can cause damage that may make them more likely to develop heart failure or another cardiac condition later in life.”
Partnering with Patients on Prevention
According to Dr. Bauer, the causes of heart disease deaths may have changed, but the medical advice and preventive strategies have remained largely the same.
“This new research reinforces the advice we’ve been giving for the past few decades,” he says. “By continuing to educate patients and primary care physicians on cardiac risk factors and prevention—as well as how to manage related health conditions—we can reduce the incidence of chronic heart disease.”
For people who may be at higher risk for chronic heart disease due to family history, health conditions or other factors—or people who are experiencing symptoms such as chest pain, heart palpitations, shortness of breath, dizziness, fatigue or swelling in the lower legs—getting early treatment from a primary care provider or cardiologist could prove to be a lifesaving decision.
In fact, Dr. Bauer says, the keys to reducing the risk of chronic heart disease and related complications are being proactive, working closely with health care providers, and taking steps to manage lifestyle-related risk factors and other health conditions—even if it isn’t always perfect.
"There’s no one-size-fits-all approach," says Dr. Bauer, "but by working closely with your medical team, you can identify things you can do that will make a big difference."
Brenton Bauer, MD, practices at 2841 Lomita Blvd, Suite 100 in Torrance. He can be reached at 310-257-0508.
