How Much Heart Disease and Stroke Deaths Rose in 2020

According to the American Heart Association (AHA), the death rate from cardiovascular disease (CVD) rose in 2020. The AHA’s “Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics-2021 Update” reveals that CVD death rates increased for both men and women. This is the first time death rates have risen for both sexes in four decades.

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The pandemic and cardiovascular disease.

The report shows that the death rate from CVD increased by 4.2% for men and 3.3% for women in 2020. The AHA attributes this rise to the coronavirus pandemic and its effect on risk factors for heart disease and stroke, such as obesity, diabetes, and high blood pressure.

CVD deaths rose significantly in 2020.

The AHA’s report includes data from the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) on CVD deaths in 2020. The NCHS is a part of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The data shows that there were more than 800,000 CVD deaths in 2020, an increase of more than 33,000 from 2019.

Heart disease deaths increased in the 65+ age group.

The rise in CVD deaths was especially pronounced among adults aged 65 and older. CVD’s death rate increased by 7% for this age group. The AHA attributes this increase to the fact that older adults are more likely to have underlying health conditions. These underlying health conditions put them at higher risk for complications from Covid-19.

CVD death rates increased for both men and women.

The AHA’s “Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics-2021 Update” reveals that CVD death rates increased for both men and women in 2020. This rise is attributed to the coronavirus pandemic and its effect on risk factors for heart disease and stroke, such as obesity, diabetes, and high blood pressure. Older adults are especially vulnerable to the effects of Covid-19 and have seen a significant increase in CVD deaths.