Heart Disease Facts & Statistics

World-wide

• Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), commonly referred to as heart disease or stroke, are the number 1 cause of death around the world.
• 1 in 3 deaths globally are as a result of CVD; the majority of premature heart disease and stroke is preventable.
• In 2010 CVD cost US$ 863 billion — estimated to rise by 22% to US$ 1,044 billion by 2030.
• 80% of CVD deaths occur in low- to middle-income countries.

In the United States

Heart disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women. Below are a few key statistics and facts:

• About 630,000 Americans die from heart disease each year — that's 1 in every 4 deaths.
• Every year roughly 735,000 Americans have a heart attack — ~525,000 are first attacks, 210,000 are recurrent.
• Someone in the U.S. has a heart attack every 40 seconds; each minute more than one person dies from a heart disease-related event.
• Heart disease costs the United States about $200 billion each year (health care, medication, lost productivity).
• Heart disease is the leading cause of death across most racial and ethnic groups; for some groups it is second only to cancer.

Early Action is Important for Heart Attack

Know the warning signs and act quickly — survival chances improve when treatment begins early.

• Chest pain or discomfort.
• Pain in arms, back, neck, jaw, or upper stomach.
• Shortness of breath.
• Nausea, lightheadedness, or cold sweats.

In a 2005 survey most respondents (92%) recognized chest pain as a heart attack symptom, but only 27% were aware of all major symptoms and knew to call emergency services immediately.