Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

Hot on Facebook

Uproar After NC State Agent 'Fixes' Girl's Lunch Preschooler has to eat chicken nuggets instead of mom's meal »

Heart Attack Deaths Plummet 30%

Drop hailed as modern medical miracle, but disease still daunting

By Peter Fearon, Newser Staff

Posted Dec 16, 2008 2:10 AM CST

(Newser) – In what is being hailed as a medical miracle, deaths from heart attack and stroke have dropped nearly a third between 1999 and 2006, according to the latest statistics from the American Heart Association. Yet despite gains from better preventive medicine and more effective hospital treatment, one person still dies from cardiovascular disease every 37 seconds. It's the No. 1 killer of men and the third largest killer of women.

Medical experts are concerned that progress against the disease may be undermined by increasing levels of obesity and diabetes. "It's one of the most remarkable achievements of modern medicine to have this kind of decline," said a UCLA cardiologist. "But there is still obviously a lot of work to be done."

[Images (2)]

[Quotes (1)]

Better hospital care for cardiac patients and better preventive medicine for those at risk have slashed the death rate from stroke and heart attacks by 30%. (AP Photo/Luis Romero)

Lipitor and other cholesterol reducing drugs, along with better hospital treatment, have helped bring down the death rate from heart attacks by 30%. (AP Photo/Paul Sakuma, file)

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow

Although death rates are declining, several of the risk factors leading to heart disease are increasing."
- American Heart Assn. spokeswoman Dr. Suzanne Steinbaum.

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow

To report an error on this story, notify our editors.

More Newser Stories

Drug May Cut Heart Attack Risk in Half

'Blockbuster' study could transform preventative care

(NEWSER) - A simple test and drug prescription can prevent hundreds of thousands of heart attacks and strokes, researchers say. Announced today at an American Heart Association meeting in New Orleans, the study of almost 18,000 volunteers in 26 nations confirmed that inflammation leads to heart disease—and can be counteracted by taking a cholesterol-lowering statin, the Washington Post reports. More»

Beta Blockers 'Killing Patients'

Research uncovers dire effects of pre-surgery drug

(NEWSER) - Beta blockers routinely given to patients before surgery do far more harm than good, with patients 35% more likely to die within a month than those given a dummy pill, according to a study reported in the Lancet. While the blood pressure drugs did cut the number of heart complications, the risk of stroke doubled, researchers discovered. More»

American Kids' Blood Pressure Creeps Up

Obesity epidemic fallout foreshadows serious health troubles

(NEWSER) - The ranks of US children with dangerously high blood pressure and hypertension have been growing for 20 years, reversing a decades-long trend, says a new study that tracks the effects of youth obesity. Hypertension, which usually doesn't develop until patients are in their 30s or 40s, is a leading cause of heart attack and stroke, the Washington Post reports. More»

NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS

What is Newser?

Face it: there's too much news. At Newser, we choose the most thought-provoking and entertaining stories from hundreds of US and international sources and reduce them to a headline, picture, and two paragraphs. And we do it 24/7—you can come back morning, noon, night (and in between) for something new that matters. Read less, know more.

Learn more »

Partnering with: Slate

View Newser on the mobile website

Heart Attack Deaths Plummet 30%