Heart attacks drop 90% since 1970 — so what’s now the leading cause of death in America?

Heart attack deaths in America have dropped by almost 90% since 1970, but heart disease is still the number one killer. Why? Because now, chronic heart problems like heart failure, irregular heartbeat, and high blood pressure-related heart disease are going up — especially as people live longer.

A new study by Stanford University looked at heart disease deaths in the US from 1970 to 2022. Back in 1970, heart attacks caused 41% of all deaths in the country. But by 2022, that number dropped to 24%, thanks to huge improvements in medicine and public health, according to the report by New Scientist.

Why heart attack deaths went down

The biggest news is heart attack deaths fell by nearly 90% in that time. This drop happened because of new heart treatments like stents and bypass surgery. Cholesterol-lowering drugs that prevent heart disease. Public health efforts like fewer people smoking and more people trained in CPR.


Even with this progress, heart disease is still the leading cause of death in the US in 2022. Why? Because deaths from other heart conditions are going up. These are not sudden like heart attacks, but chronic illnesses that build up over time, as per the report by New Scientist.

ALSO READ: Who is Neera Tanden? Biden aide admits approving autopen signatures without knowing who cleared them

Why other heart problems are now rising

For example, Heart failure deaths went up 146%, Arrhythmia deaths went up 106%, Hypertensive high blood pressure, heart disease deaths jumped 450%. King says, many of these conditions happen more often because people are now surviving heart attacks and living longer, which gives time for new heart problems to appear.

The data isn’t perfect. Some deaths may be listed under the wrong cause. For example, someone may die from heart failure, but it might’ve started because of a heart attack years ago.

Still, it’s clear that heart attacks are no longer the biggest heart problem — chronic heart conditions are. That’s why experts now say the new focus should be on helping people age with a healthier heart, preventing long-term heart issues, as stated by New Scientist.

FAQs

Q1. What is the number one cause of death in the US now?
Heart disease, but now more from chronic conditions than heart attacks.

Q2. Why have heart attack deaths gone down?
Better treatments like stents and surgery, and public health changes like less smoking.