For years, anti-smoking campaigns and better treatment for high cholesterol have helped reduce deaths from heart disease. But as one major challenge has eased, another has quietly taken its place.
Researchers now say the growing impact of obesity and diabetes could slow decades of progress unless preventive efforts keep pace.
A changing risk profile
A new analysis from the University of Washington, published in JAMA Cardiology and based on data from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2023, found that preventable risk factors remain responsible for almost 89% of ischemic heart disease deaths in the United States, reports Medical News Today.
The findings suggest that while overall mortality from ischemic heart disease has dropped sharply since 1990, the disease continues to place a heavy burden on public health, with an estimated 473,000 deaths recorded in 2023.
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Old risks, new challenges
High blood pressure, poor dietary habits and elevated LDL cholesterol remain the leading contributors to fatal heart disease. Researchers say these conditions are often overlooked because they can develop for years without causing noticeable symptoms.
At the same time, the fastest-growing risks have changed. Compared with three decades ago, deaths linked to high body mass index (BMI) and elevated fasting blood glucose have increased significantly, highlighting the growing influence of obesity and type 2 diabetes on cardiovascular health.
Independent cardiologists told Medical News Today that these findings mirror what they are seeing in hospitals and clinics, where obesity-related conditions are becoming an increasingly common driver of serious heart disease.
Prevention remains key
The researchers argue that continued progress will depend on identifying risk factors earlier and encouraging healthier lifestyles before heart disease develops.
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Routine blood pressure checks, cholesterol and blood sugar monitoring, regular physical activity and a balanced diet remain among the most effective strategies for lowering cardiovascular risk.
According to the study, focusing on these areas could help prevent a substantial number of future heart disease deaths.
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