Why Awareness around cardiovascular disease still matters
Every February, we are invited to pause and reflect on the health of our hearts. Since 1964, February has been recognized as American Heart Month in a nationwide initiative to raise awareness about cardiovascular disease (CVD), the associated risk factors for disease development, and promoting heart healthy behaviors. While it might be tempting to think that we have ‘heard it all before,’ as of 2025, CVD remains the leading cause of death in the United States, ahead of cancer and all accidents combined. After decades of steady improvement in reducing disease development and mortality, progress appears to have begun to reverse and stall over the last decade. The conversation around heart health, even in 2026, matters more now than ever [5,6,8,15,17,19,20].
How many people are affected?
The United States recorded around 11 million deaths from CVD among adults ≥35 years between the years 2010–2022. That is more lives claimed than from any other condition in the US tracked during the same time period. While it is often believed that CVD and its associated conditions (hypertension, metabolic syndrome, atherosclerosis) are ‘later-life problems’, recent epidemiology data shows a rising rate of younger adults under the age of 35 developing these conditions. The American Heart Association projects that by 2050, clinical CVD alone will affect about 45 million US adults while CVD plus hypertension will affect more than 184 million, or more than 6 in 10 adults [3,5-7,11,18].
Who is most affected?
CVD can affect anyone, but current data shows a stark increase in certain populations, income-brackets, and geographical locations. Non-Hispanic Black adults experience about twice the CVD-plus-diabetes death rates of non-Hispanic White adults in the US. Current 2060 projections suggest that while CVD prevalence may stabilize or decline in White adults, Black and Hispanic populations will likely see the largest increases in CVD and its associated risk factors. Communities of color continue to experience higher rates of CVD while having poorer access to preventive care, widening the inequity gap in improving CVD risk in these vulnerable populations. When looking at CVD trends in relation to household income, CVD declined more in the highest-income group from 1999-2016 than in any other income bracket. This signifies a widening gap between the richest and the poorest Americans as much of the population suffers with the increased prevalence and healthcare costs. CVD mortality is highest in rural areas compared to urban ones while death rates appear regionally highest in the US South compared to anywhere else in the US. Shining a light on the structural barriers that prevent effective, timely care and prevention shows that awareness and action are necessary to support these at-risk populations [7,9-11,14,16, 18].
the changing face of CVD
Cardiovascular disease includes a wide range of conditions that affect the heart and blood vessels, including coronary heart disease, cerebrovascular disease, peripheral artery disease, and many more. The share of deaths from various forms of CVD is changing from previous generations and healthcare specialists are struggling to keep pace. Among CVD deaths in 2010 through 2022, about three-quarters were from heart disease while around one-sixth were from stroke. Looking back, from 1999-2018, the share of deaths due to ischemic heart disease fell from 73% to 56% while deaths from heart failure rose from 8% to 13% and hypertensive heart disease from 4% to 9%. These changes are startling as the death rates from heart failure and hypertensive heart disease are rising faster than any other CVD subtype is 2011, especially among White and Black men. Increasing awareness and prevention methods against heart failure and hypertension development are vital to prevent further disease-related deaths [3-6].
The pandemic shock: a lost decade of progress
While the SARS-CoV-2 virus pandemic, commonly called the COVID-19 Pandemic, impacted numerous areas of human life, it also significantly impacted progress towards reduction in CVD deaths. Looking at the previous decade, between 2010 and 2019, the national age-adjusted CVD death rate fell by 8.9% from 456.6 deaths per 100,000 in 2010 to 416.0 deaths per 100,000 in 2019. This progress was remarkable as it showed positive outlooks on reduction in CVD-related deaths and greater disease prevention and management. However, this decade of progress was essentially erased following the COVID-19 Pandemic. National age-adjusted CVD death rates jumped by 9.3% to 454.5 deaths per 100,000 by 2022, returning the rate to roughly 2010 levels. Recent data points to an estimated 228,000, or about 9% more, CVD deaths than previously projected from 2020-2022 based on pre-pandemic trends. These excess deaths may reflect various components impacted by the pandemic such as direct COVID-19 effects, missed medical care, delayed treatment, and worsening control of health metrics such as blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar [3,5,20].
more people living with multiple risk Factors Every Year
Following the COVID-19 Pandemic, our world has changed dramatically. Sedentary remote work, chronic stress, rising cost of living, increased technology (phone, laptop, TV) usage, and higher processed food consumption have all contributed to higher CVD development risk. Looking at recent national health and nutrition examination survey data (NHANES 2021–2023) shows just how common uncontrolled risk factors are today. The recent survey indicated that only 36% of US adults had no major uncontrolled CVD risk factors, while 28.1% of US adults have two or more risk factors currently (including controlled high blood pressure, high cholesterol, high blood sugar, or obesity). This share of adults with two or more CVD risk factors increased from 23.7% in NHANES 2013-2014 survey data, showing a startling rise paired with a growing population. The recent survey data indicated that while from 2007-2020 metrics for physical activity, smoking, sleep, and blood lipids all showed improvement, metrics in obesity, high blood pressure, and high blood sugar have largely worsened. So even though the US is beginning to show improvement in some areas, many more challenges still remain in reducing CVD development and death [5,8,20].
If look ahead, recent health statistics don’t paint a much brighter picture. Current scientific projections indicate that by 2060 the number of US adults with hypertension is estimated to rise by 27% (from 128 million to 163 million) and with obesity by 18% (from 106 million to 126 million). These risk factors point to an expected increase of people living with ischemic heart disease, heart failure, stroke, and prior heart attack by roughly 30-34% over the same time period. Increasing awareness and supporting people in knowing what to do to prevent disease development empowers positive steps towards changing these outcomes towards better results [9].
The Hidden Cost: CVD’s Economic burden
While it is no secret that the cost of medical care has risen rapidly over the past several decades, it is important to look at the impact CVD has on medical system and consumer cost. Within the US, spending on CVD rose from $212 billion in 1996 up to $320 billion in 2016, a 51.7% increase over two decades. This $320 billion accounts for roughly 15% of all heart care spending that year, indicating a significant area of medical necessity. The largest spending categories within CVD spending include ischemic heart disease at $80 billion and hypertension (high blood pressure) at $71 billion. Continued approaches to reduce CVD development through increased awareness, preventative services (such as nutrition counseling), and effective monitoring can support lowering medical and pharmaceutical costs [12].
The Take‑home message
Cardiovascular disease doesn’t just affect numbers on a chart. It affects families, independence, confidence, and overall quality of life. Awareness from American Heart Month helps us reflect and connect with the meaningful reasons we want to feel better, live longer, stay active, and be healthier. While CVD remains America’s top killer, it doesn’t have to be that way forever. With more adults living with multiple, uncontrolled risk factors such as high blood pressure, obesity, diabetes, and high cholesterol, starting to tackle just one of these risk factors today can make a meaningful step towards better health. Having a conversation with your doctor about your health metrics and seeking guidance in preventing or improving your numbers can support you in living the long life you want to live. While the burden is not share equally and certain populations carry a higher cost and burden than others, increasing awareness of the challenges of CVD and the impact it has on our communities can support in improving early detection and equitable access to care for a brighter tomorrow.
A Heart‑Centered Approach for 2026 and Beyond
At Wholehearted Nutrition and Wellness PLLC, we believe that heart health is more than a checklist. It’s a partnership. It’s about understanding your unique story, your goals, and the barriers you face in order to build a prescriptive plan that feels realistic, compassionate, and sustainable. American Heart Month is a reminder that your heart deserves attention, support, and care every day of the year. If you’re ready to take the next step toward a stronger, healthier future, we’re here to walk with you.
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