Deadly disease expected to surge across America by 2050, experts warn

Two new studies indicate that over the next three decades, more than half of Americans could be impacted by cardiovascular disease, with the economic burden expected to reach trillions of dollars.

On June 4th, the American Heart Association reported on the research from two studies published in the journal Circulation that estimated the possible growth of cardiovascular disease in the country in thirty years. 

“Cardiovascular disease refers to conditions such as coronary heart disease, including heart attacks; heart failure, which is when the heart doesn't pump as well as it should,” the American Heart Association noted.

“Heart arrhythmias, including a type of irregular heart rhythm called atrial fibrillation; vascular disease, which affects the veins and arteries; congenital heart defects; stroke; and high blood pressure,” the American Heart Association added. 

The United States may see as many as six in ten individuals affected by cardiovascular disease by 2050 and the findings of the new research also explained just how large of a problem the U.S. could be facing. 

“Driven by an older, more diverse population, along with a significant increase in risk factors including high blood pressure and obesity, total costs related to cardiovascular disease (CVD) conditions are likely to triple by 2050,” an American Heart Association press release on the research noted. 

Clinical cardiovascular disease is expected to affect at least 45 million by 2050 whereas 184 million people—or roughly 61% of the population—could suffer from cardiovascular disease including hypertension.  

A separate study from the American Heart Association (AHA) estimates that about 129 million people over the age of 20 years old are currently affected by cardiovascular disease in 2024, a figure that represents 48.6% of the U.S. population.  

The AHA noted in a different press release on the new research that the “projected rise in heart disease and stroke along with several key risk factors, including high blood pressure and obesity – is likely to triple related costs to $1.8 trillion by 2050.”

Dr. Dhruv S. Kazi was involved in both of the new studies and explained that it was not surprising the rise of cardiovascular risk factors and diseases would have a substantial economic burden on the United States. 

Photo Credit: X @kardiologykazi

“This is a near tripling of the total direct and indirect costs of cardiovascular disease over the coming three decades,” Kazi said in reference to the $1.8 trillion dollar price tag the country can expect to pay for cardiovascular disease by 2050. 

Kazi added that the $1.8 trillion dollar number “almost doubles the economic impact of CVD as a proportion of the U.S. gross domestic product, increasing from 2.7% in 2020 to 4.6% in 2050.”

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