Heart Disease: The Leading Cause of Death

Noncommunicable diseases now make up 7 of the world's top 10 causes of death, according to the World Health Organization's 2019 Global Health Estimates. The estimates clearly highlight the need for an intensified global focus on preventing and treating cardiovascular diseases, cancer, diabetes, and chronic respiratory diseases.

The Scale of the Problem

Among G20+ countries, the United States has one of the highest cardiovascular disease (CVD) rates. Since 1950, heart-related disease has been the leading cause of death in the U.S. **Every 40 seconds in the United States, someone has a heart attack.**

Globally, heart disease has remained the leading cause of death over the last 20 years — and is now killing more people than ever before. The number of deaths from heart disease increased by more than 2 million since 2000, to nearly 9 million in 2019. Heart disease now represents 16% of total deaths from all causes.

More than half of the 2 million additional deaths came from the Western Pacific region. Conversely, the European region has seen a relative decline in heart disease, with deaths falling by 15%.

Related Conditions on the Rise

Alzheimer's disease and other dementias are now among the top 10 causes of death, ranking third in both the Americas and Europe in 2019. Women are disproportionately affected, with 65% of global dementia-related deaths occurring among women.

Diabetes-related deaths have surged by 70% globally since 2000, with an 80% increase among males. In the Eastern Mediterranean region, diabetes deaths have more than doubled — representing the highest percentage increase across all WHO regions.

Living Longer — But Healthier?

The 2019 estimates confirm that people are living longer, with the global average life expectancy rising by more than six years. However, only five of those additional years were lived in good health, as disability has risen. The diseases responsible for the most deaths — heart disease, diabetes, stroke, lung cancer, and COPD — also contribute significantly to healthy life-years lost.

9 Steps to Reduce Your Risk

The good news: heart disease is largely preventable through lifestyle changes.

1. Eat a healthy diet that's nutrient-dense

2. Eat a diet that's low in sodium

3. Limit saturated fat intake

4. Avoid trans fats entirely

5. Get at least 180 minutes of moderately-intensive aerobic physical activity per week

6. Maintain a healthy weight

7. Limit alcohol consumption

8. Stop smoking

9. Manage stress consistently

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