In the next 30 years, more than half of all adults in the United States could suffer from some form of heart or blood vessel disease, such as heart attacks or strokes. This worrying prediction comes from recent studies by the American Heart Association.
The reports also warn that the costs of treating these diseases could triple by 2050, possibly reaching $1.8 trillion each year.
The main reason for this increase is a rise in health problems like high blood pressure and obesity. Dr. Dhruv S. Kazi, a heart disease expert from Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston, says the country is facing a “perfect storm” of growing health risks.
In recent years, conditions such as uncontrolled high blood pressure, obesity, and diabetes have become more common. These are some of the leading causes of heart disease.
Cardiovascular disease is a general term for a group of problems that affect the heart and blood vessels. It includes heart attacks, strokes, heart failure, irregular heartbeats, and problems with arteries and veins.
High blood pressure is especially dangerous. It plays a role in almost every type of heart and blood vessel disease. In 2020, about 51% of Americans had high blood pressure. By 2050, that number is expected to climb to over 60%. Stroke cases are also expected to double.
Obesity is another major concern. The number of obese adults could rise from 43% to more than 60% by 2050. Adults aged 20 to 64 are expected to be most affected, mainly due to unhealthy diets. Diabetes is also on the rise, with rates predicted to jump from 16% to nearly 27%.
These health problems are not limited to adults. By 2050, one in three children may be obese. That’s a big increase from 20% in 2020. More very young children and teenagers are expected to be affected by obesity, high blood pressure, and diabetes. About 60% of children may be impacted by poor diets and not getting enough physical activity.
The changing makeup of the U.S. population is also adding to the problem. By 2030, all Baby Boomers will be over 65, which means one in five Americans will be in this older age group. Since heart disease risk goes up with age, this will lead to even more cases.
At the same time, the country is becoming more diverse. Hispanic, Asian, and multiracial groups will more than double in size in the coming decades. By 2060, most children in the U.S. will belong to these groups. Some of these populations already face higher risks for heart disease and related problems.
There are also big differences in health based on race and income. Hispanic adults are expected to have the biggest increase in heart disease. Black adults will likely have the highest rates of high blood pressure, obesity, and diabetes.
Asian Americans may face more issues with physical inactivity. Dr. Karen E. Joynt Maddox, who helped lead the research, says that racism, income, and access to healthcare are big reasons behind these differences.
Still, not all the news is bad. Fewer people are expected to be physically inactive, dropping from about 34% to 24%. Smoking rates may also go down by half, from nearly 16% to just over 8%.
To deal with these growing problems, Dr. Kazi says it is important to invest in both prevention and better treatments. He believes that working together across the country can help reduce the number of people affected and control the rising costs.
If you care about heart disease, please read studies about a big cause of heart failure, and common blood test could advance heart failure treatment.
For more information about heart health, please see recent studies about a new way to repair human heart, and results showing drinking coffee may help reduce heart failure risk.
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