Don’t Miss A Beat in Tackling Heart Disease

On this World Heart Day, we are reminded that heart disease remains, by far, the world’s leading killer. For perspective, COVID-19 – the worst pandemic in over a century – has claimed one million lives so far this year. Heart disease will claim almost 18 million lives this year, yet we tend to hear far too little about it. If current trends continue, this terrible toll is likely to rise to more than 23 million deaths per year in 2030 – at a staggering annual cost to society of nearly one trillion dollars.

COVID-19 has only compounded the challenge, in part by deterring people with heart disease from making routine visits to their doctors. Fewer people seeking routine care means fewer people managing the key modifiable risk factors associated with heart disease, especially high LDL or “bad” cholesterol. 

But it doesn’t stop there. Concerns over COVID-19 have also translated into fewer people experiencing heart attacks actually going to the hospital – in fact, as many as 40 percent fewer since the pandemic began. We also know that people with underlying cardiovascular problems are at higher risk of developing serious illness from COVID-19.

At Amgen, we remain committed to bending the curve of heart disease. If you or someone you love has heart disease or is at risk of experiencing a major cardiovascular event, please #DontMissABeat in obtaining the care you need. 

#DontMissABeat, #WorldHeartDay, #UseHeart