U.S. heart disease deaths decline, but stroke risks rise in younger adults

Deaths from heart disease and stroke in the U.S. fell slightly in 2023, marking a small but notable improvement. The total number of cardiovascular-related deaths dropped to 915,973, down from 941,652 the previous year. Yet concerns remain as younger adults show rising risk factors and stroke death rates climb in certain age groups.

The latest figures reveal a mixed picture of progress and challenges. While overall deaths from cardiovascular disease declined, stroke deaths fell for the first time in years. Coronary heart disease accounted for 349,470 deaths in 2023, with stroke responsible for 162,639. The age-adjusted death rate also decreased to 218.3 per 100,000 people.

However, troubling trends persist among younger populations. Stroke death rates jumped by 8.3% for those aged 25 to 34 over the past decade. An even sharper rise of 18.2% was seen in people over 85. Meanwhile, obesity rates in children and teens aged 2 to 19 climbed from 25.4% to 28.1%. Health risks remain widespread. Nearly 90% of U.S. adults now exhibit some form of cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic syndrome, with over 80% of young and middle-aged adults showing early warning signs. Current estimates show 125.9 million adults with high blood pressure, 29.5 million with diagnosed diabetes, and about half struggling with obesity or severe obesity. Research also highlights the protective effect of good cardiovascular health: those scoring well on Life’s Essential 8 metrics had a 74% lower risk of heart-related events. Sally C. Stearns, Volunteer Chair of the American Heart Association, oversaw the 2023 statistics update.

The decline in cardiovascular deaths offers some encouragement, but rising stroke rates in younger and older age groups signal ongoing risks. With most adults now facing some level of metabolic or heart-related health issues, experts stress the need for continued prevention efforts. The data underscores both progress made and the work still required to reduce long-term risks.