Most Americans Don't Know Heart Disease Is the Country's Leading Cause of Death

Brian Mastroianni
·5 min read

Fact checked by Nick Blackmer

  • More than half of Americans don’t know that heart disease is the country’s leading killer, according to a new survey from the American Heart Association.

  • Nearly one million people in the U.S. died from cardiovascular disease in 2023.

  • Experts stress the importance of regular medical screenings to stay on top of heart health.



More than half of Americans don’t know that heart disease causes the most deaths nationwide, according to new survey results announced by the American Heart Association (AHA).

The survey, conducted by the Harris Poll on behalf of the AHA, found that 51% of respondents did not correctly identify heart disease as the leading cause of death in the United States. Eighteen percent named cancer as claiming the most lives, while 16% reported being unsure.

The survey results complement the AHA’s updated statistics on heart disease and stroke published in the journal Circulation in January.

Heart disease refers to several heart-related conditions. Most people with heart disease in the U.S. have coronary artery disease, which occurs when plaque builds up in the walls of arteries that transport blood to the heart. Over time, blocked arteries can restrict blood flow and cause a heart attack, arrhythmia, or heart failure.

Although the death rate from heart disease has dropped since 1950, the disease has remained the country’s top killer for more than 100 years—since 1921. Nearly one million people in the U.S. die from cardiovascular disease each year.

“The results of this survey, finding that most people do not know the significant impact of heart disease, is discouraging and even a bit frightening,” said American Heart Association President Joseph C. Wu, MD, PhD, in a press release.

What’s Behind the Misconceptions?

Wu told Health that heart disease may not come to mind as the top killer because it’s such an elusive condition.

“Heart disease develops over the course of a lifetime,” said Wu, who’s also the director of the Stanford Cardiovascular Institute and Simon H. Stertzer Professor of Medicine and Radiology at Stanford School of Medicine. “Many people may not even realize they have heart disease because most risk factors don’t have symptoms.”



Leading Risk Factors for Heart Disease

  • High blood pressure

  • High low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol

  • Diabetes

  • Smoking and secondhand smoke exposure

  • Obesity

  • Poor diet

  • Inactive lifestyle



Indeed, the AHA found that of the 47% of people in the U.S. who have high blood pressure—a main risk factor for heart disease—only 62% know they have the condition.

Misconceptions about heart disease may also contribute to people not recognizing the danger of the condition. The AHA cites the top 10 myths about cardiovascular disease, from “diabetes won’t harm my heart as long as I take medication” to “I don’t need to have my cholesterol checked until middle age.” A survey from 2023 revealed that younger adults believe they can’t develop heart disease even though, in recent years, heart attacks have risen among people younger than 40.

Raising Public Awareness

Wu thinks that society as a whole needs to do a better job of addressing risk factors and lifestyle behaviors that lead to heart disease. “Connecting these dots is a critical step to helping increase awareness about the deadly consequences of heart disease,” he said.

Despite obesity being a key contributor to heart issues, he notes, more than 70% of U.S. adults have it. Similarly, “more than 11% of adults and more than 16% of high school students still use tobacco daily,” even though the habit can also affect heart health.

Educating people starts with making healthcare less “time-consuming, expensive, and intimidating,” Jessica Holtzman, MD, a cardiovascular disease fellow at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), told Health.

Holtzman said that social media campaigns and tools such as text messaging prompts or activity trackers can make information about heart health more accessible. “Screenings in non-traditional locations outside of hospitals and clinics, such as barber shops and churches, have shown promise in detecting cardiovascular disease,” she added.

It’s crucial, Holtzman said, to reach groups that have a disproportionate risk of heart disease, such as Black and Hispanic adults. “The social determinants of health, including socioeconomic status, gender, work environment, race or ethnicity, and place of birth, impact heart health outcomes,” she said. “Addressing factors that contribute to structural racism is key.”

How to Prioritize Heart Health

Experts stress the importance of regular medical screenings to stay on top of heart health.

Holtzman suggests talking to a healthcare provider about which ones make sense for you based on your circumstances. “Patients can talk with their doctors to develop tailored plans to prioritize their cardiometabolic health,” she said.

According to the AHA, adults at normal risk of heart disease should have cholesterol tested every four to six years and discuss smoking, physical activity, and diet at each regular visit with a doctor. Weight and blood pressure should also be checked during those visits.

Wu advises buying an at-home blood pressure monitor if you can’t get to a doctor and tracking levels over time to spot any concerning trends.

In addition to regular screenings, Holtzman said that making healthy choices can help prevent heart disease. She suggests a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, proteins, and legumes, coupled with moderate physical activity for 20 to 30 minutes on most days. To stay motivated, she said, try exercising with a friend or using an activity tracker.

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Read the original article on Health.com.