According to a new study, approximately 50% of American adults are likely to develop cardiovascular disease by 2050.
Heart-related issues, such as heart attacks, arrhythmias, heart failure and congenital heart disease, continue to pose a significant threat. These conditions have been the leading cause of death in the United States for numerous years, killing over 800,000 people annually.
A study published recently states that approximately 45 million Americans will have some form of cardiovascular disease excluding high blood pressure, or suffer a stroke by 2050. This is an increase from the current number of 28 million individuals in 2020.
Aging is another factor contributing to these figures, as the elderly population will continue to rise. By 2050, 22% of the US population will be over 65 years old, compared to just 13% in the previous decade. The average age in the country is anticipated to increase from 37 to 41 during the same period of time.
With a more diverse population, the prevalence of cardiovascular disease and stroke will also increase. According to US Census predictions, individuals identifying as Hispanic will comprise around 24% of the US population in 2050, compared to 20% in 2020. Black Americans are projected to account for 14.4% of the US population, up from 13.6%. Meanwhile, the number of individuals identifying as Asian is forecasted to rise from 6.2% to 8.6%.
People of Hispanic origin are expected to experience the largest growth in cardiovascular disease or stroke. Black adults currently have the most heart disease risk factors, such as high blood pressure, diabetes, and obesity, according to the American Heart Association's research. Additionally, Black adults are projected to have the most problems with poor diets and inadequate sleep, both of which contribute to heart-related conditions.
The biggest rise in cardiovascular issues will be in the number of people experiencing stroke. The American Heart Association predicts a doubling of stroke cases, affecting 20 million adults by 2050. This is an increase from the current 10 million.
In terms of risk factors, advances in obesity and diabetes diagnosis are projected to have the biggest impact. Poor diet will also become a major concern with nearly 70 million young adults likely to adopt unhealthy eating habits by 2050.
The number of people with obesity is estimated to increase from 43.1% to 60.6%, impacting around 180 million individuals by 2050. The number of people with diabetes will also increase from 16.3% to 26.8%, affecting 80 million in that period.
The report also highlights the heart health of children, noting "concerning trends" in vital risk factors, such as an anticipated rise in the obesity rates. By 2050, it is expected that 26 million kids will have obesity, up from the current 20.6%.
One positive note mentioned in the report is the reduction in the number of people with high cholesterol, which is expected to decline. This decline is attributed to the increasing use of statins, medicines that can reduce cholesterol production. Over 92 million adults in the US took statins between 2018 and 2019.
The researchers stress the importance of developing targeted clinical and policy interventions to address heart conditions that disproportionately affect communities of color, who have less access to affordable, basic healthcare. Prevention efforts aimed at improving population health will also be key, preventing a significant increase in healthcare costs. US healthcare expenses for cardiovascular issues are projected to reach $1.8 trillion by 2050.
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The study mentions that approximately 45 million Americans will have some form of cardiovascular disease or suffer a stroke by 2050, which is an increase from the current number of 28 million individuals in 2020.
According to US Census predictions, individuals identifying as Hispanic will comprise around 24% of the US population in 2050, which is an increase from 20% in 2020.
