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Heart & Stroke Deaths Plummet

Doctors say improvement is dramatic, but could be short-lived

By Rob Quinn,  Newser Staff

Posted Jan 23, 2008 2:54 AM CST
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(Newser) – Deaths from heart disease and strokes have dropped by a quarter since 1999—the biggest decrease on record, reports ABC News. An estimated 160,000 lives have been saved.  "This is the fastest rate of decrease we've seen. It's very meaningful," said a doctor. The American Heart Association credits innovative new treatments like angioplasty, stents and clot-busting drugs—and better prevention—for the big drop.

The number of Americans with uncontrolled high blood pressure is down 16% since 1999, while those with high cholesterol has dropped 19% and smoking has dipped 15%. Doctors warned, however, that with risk factors like obesity and diabetes on the rise, the fall could soon be reserved. Heart disease is the leading killer of Americans, and strokes are the third largest cause of death.

Innovative new treatments are crediting with boosting the survival rate for victims of heart disease and strokes, leading to a dramatic fall in the number of deaths from these causes since 1999.
Innovative new treatments are crediting with boosting the survival rate for victims of heart disease and strokes, leading to a dramatic fall in the number of deaths from these causes since 1999.   (KRT Photos)
Graphic shows U.S. death rates from coronary heart disease; two sizes; 1c x 5 inches; 46.5 mm x 127 mm; 2c x 2 3/4 inches; 96.3 mm x 69.9 mm
Graphic shows U.S. death rates from coronary heart disease; two sizes; 1c x 5 inches; 46.5 mm x 127 mm; 2c x 2 3/4 inches; 96.3 mm x 69.9 mm   (Associated Press)
Dr. James Stein holds up a small ultrasound machine Friday, Sept. 14, 2007, in Madison, Wis., that is used by medical professionals to check whether a patient has heart disease that can be detected in neck arteries. The new, small machines are starting to make their way into ordinary doctors'...
Dr. James Stein holds up a small ultrasound machine Friday, Sept. 14, 2007, in Madison, Wis., that is used by medical professionals to check whether a patient has heart disease that can be detected in...   (Associated Press)
A food booth that features deep-freed goodies is pictured at the Indiana State Fair in Indianapolis, Wednesday, Aug 8, 2007. All of the deep-fried items are being cooked in oil free of the trans fats linked to obesity, heart disease and diabetes. Indiana is the first state to make the...
A food booth that features deep-freed goodies is pictured at the Indiana State Fair in Indianapolis, Wednesday, Aug 8, 2007. All of the deep-fried items are being cooked in oil free of the trans fats...   (Associated Press)
A food booth that features deep-freed goodies is pictured at the Indiana State Fair in Indianapolis All of the deep-fried items are being cooked in oil free of the trans fats linked to obesity, heart disease and diabetes. Doctors warn that with obesity and diabetes on the rise, the impressive...
A food booth that features deep-freed goodies is pictured at the Indiana State Fair in Indianapolis All of the deep-fried items are being cooked in oil free of the trans fats linked to obesity, heart...   (Associated Press)
Teams of participants from three hospital systems and other groups pose with heart patient survivors wearing the red survivors cap at the 2007 American Heart Association's Heart Walk. New treatments and better prevention are credited with having helped deaths from heart disease drop by a quarter since the '90s. (AP...
Teams of participants from three hospital systems and other groups pose with heart patient survivors wearing the red survivors cap at the 2007 American Heart Association's Heart Walk. New treatments and...   (Associated Press)
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Heart and stroke death rates fall
WebMD

Deaths rate fall beats AHA's target
WebMD

Doctors say good diet is vital
St. Paul Pioneer Press (Minn.)

 
heart disease • heart • blood pressure • stroke • American Heart Association

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