?? 3 in 5 US adults projected to have CVD by 2050, with a price tag of $1.8T—can cardiologists ‘turn the tide’?

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By Michael Walter | June 04, 2024?

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According to the American Heart Association (AHA), it is estimated that 61% of adults in the United States will have cardiovascular disease (CVD) by 2050, with associated costs reaching up to $1.8 trillion. Two new AHA presidential advisories published in Circulation delve into the risk factors and economic burden of CVD and stroke, emphasizing the importance of early intervention and addressing specific issues to mitigate the projected increase in disease prevalence. Efforts led by the AHA have already led to a significant reduction in death rates from heart disease and stroke, but these conditions continue to be leading causes of mortality and disability in the U.S.

The AHA advisories highlight the need to quantify the full burden of cardiovascular disease in order to inform policies and interventions to change the current trajectory. With rising healthcare costs, an aging population, and increasing numbers of under-resourced populations, the impact of heart disease and stroke could be severe. However, the projections also emphasize the potential for positive change through targeted interventions. The prevalence of risk factors such as high blood pressure, stroke, obesity, and diabetes is projected to increase significantly, with obesity alone estimated to impact over 180 million people by 2050. The projected rise in childhood obesity is particularly concerning, with rates expected to reach 33% by 2050.

The AHA projections reveal ongoing racial and ethnic disparities in cardiovascular health. Black adults are projected to have higher rates of hypertension, diabetes, and obesity compared to other groups, along with the highest prevalence of inadequate sleep and poor diet. Asian adults have the highest projected prevalence of inadequate physical activity. These disparities are linked to demographic shifts in the U.S. population, but systemic racism, socioeconomic factors, and barriers to care also contribute to the inequities in cardiovascular health outcomes.

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