Report: 61% of Americans will have cardiovascular disease by 2050

Cardiovascular disease will affect about 61% of Americans by 2050, according to an American Heart Association report published this week in Circulation. The prevalence was 51.2% in 2020. The authors say the risk factors of poor diet, inadequate physical activity and smoking are estimated to improve over time, but inadequate sleep will worsen. American Indian/Alaska Native, multiracial, Black and Hispanic individuals are expected to be disproportionately affected. The authors call for clinical and public health interventions “to effectively manage, stem and even reverse” the trends. (The Hill article, 6/4/24)