Heart Disease

• 60% of U.S. Adults Will Have Heart Disease By 2050, according to a new projection by the American Heart Association.

The report, published this week in the journal Circulation, is a prediction that Americans are unlikely to make major health and lifestyle changes during the next 3 decades to reduce their risk of health problems like heart attacks, strokes, heart disease, heart failure, irregular heart rhythm, or problems with their blood vessels. The figures also position heart disease and stroke to remain among the top causes of death in the U.S.

“The findings of these important advisories predict a dire human and economic toll from heart disease and stroke if changes are not made,” American Heart Association Chief Executive Officer Nancy Brown said in a statement. “However, this does not have to be the reality of our future.”

The Heart Association suggests eight lifestyle and health areas people can focus on to reduce their risk of cardiovascular disease:

• Getting 7 to 9 hours of sleep each night

• Following a Mediterranean or DASH diet

• Getting at least 150 minutes of moderate physical activity per week

• Managing blood sugar and diabetes risk

• Maintaining a healthy weight with a body mass index of less than 25

• Keeping non-HDL cholesterol levels below 130 mg/dL

• Keeping blood pressure below 120/80 mmHg

• Not smoking or vaping