with 941,652 cardiovascular-related deaths reported in 2022, according to the American Heart Association’s (AHA) latest statistical update. This figure represents an increase of over 10,000 deaths compared to 2021, underscoring the persistent and growing impact of cardiovascular diseases (CVD) on public health135.
Key Statistics
- Cardiovascular diseases accounted for more deaths than all forms of cancer and accidental deaths combined in 202213.
- Coronary heart disease (CHD) was the most significant contributor, causing 39.5% of CVD-related deaths, followed by stroke (17.6%), hypertensive diseases (14%), and heart failure (9.3%)2.
- On average, someone in the U.S. dies from cardiovascular disease every 34 seconds, equating to nearly 2,500 deaths per day15.
Trends and Observations
- Post-Pandemic Stabilization: While the overall number of CVD-related deaths increased slightly, age-adjusted death rates declined from 233.3 per 100,000 in 2021 to 224.3 per 100,000 in 2022. This suggests a leveling off after a spike during the COVID-19 pandemic57.
- Geographic Disparities: States like Oklahoma, Mississippi, and Alabama reported the highest heart disease death rates in 2022. These states also have elevated levels of risk factors such as obesity and physical inactivity4.
- Risk Factors on the Rise: Hypertension, obesity, poor diet, smoking, and physical inactivity continue to drive heart disease prevalence. High blood pressure alone was responsible for over 131,000 deaths in 202225.
Broader Implications
The persistence of heart disease as the leading cause of death highlights ongoing challenges in addressing preventable risk factors and improving cardiovascular health nationwide. Despite medical advancements that have extended life expectancy for many with CVD, these gains are offset by rising rates of obesity and hypertension.
This data underscores the need for continued public health efforts focused on lifestyle interventions, equitable access to healthcare, and education about cardiovascular risk reduction.
Heart Disease remains the leading cause of death in the United States.
Citations:
- https://abcnews.go.com/Health/heart-disease-remains-leading-cause-death-us-new/story?id=118136223
- https://www.heart.org/en/-/media/PHD-Files-2/Science-News/2/2025-Heart-and-Stroke-Stat-Update/2025-Statistics-At-A-Glance.pdf?sc_lang=en
- https://www.hcplive.com/view/aha-report-reaffirms-cardiovascular-disease-as-leading-cause-of-us-deaths
- https://www.statista.com/statistics/320799/top-us-states-by-heart-disease-deaths/
- https://newsroom.heart.org/news/heart-disease-remains-leading-cause-of-death-as-key-health-risk-factors-continue-to-rise
- https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/CIR.0000000000001303
- https://www.heart.org/en/news/2025/01/27/when-it-comes-to-heart-and-brain-health-numbers-to-know
- https://professional.heart.org/en/science-news/2025-heart-disease-and-stroke-statistics
- https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/CIR.0000000000001052
- https://www.heart.org/en/about-us/heart-and-stroke-association-statistics
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35078371/
- https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/CIR.0000000000001123
- https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2025/02/24/heart-disease-strokes-cardiovascular-death/
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39685544/
- https://www.who.int/health-topics/cardiovascular-diseases
- https://www.ahajournals.org/journal/circ
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38264914/
- https://professional.heart.org/en/guidelines-and-statements
- https://professional.heart.org/-/media/phd-files-2/science-news/2/2025-heart-and-stroke-stat-update/factsheets/2025-stats-update-fact-sheet-global-burden-of-disease.pdf
- https://www.heart.org/-/media/PHD-Files-2/Science-News/2/2022-Heart-and-Stroke-Stat-Update/2022-Stat-Update-Whats-New.pdf
- https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/leading-causes-of-death.htm
- https://www.cdc.gov/heart-disease/data-research/facts-stats/index.html
- https://newsroom.heart.org/news/more-than-half-of-u-s-adults-dont-know-heart-disease-is-leading-cause-of-death-despite-100-year-reign
- https://newsroom.heart.org/news/cardiovascular-health-risks-continue-to-grow-within-black-communities-action-needed
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39866113/
