Heart Attack Deaths Are Way Down — So What’s Killing Us Instead?

There’s some genuinely good news in the fight against heart disease: Heart attack deaths have plummeted by nearly 90% over the past 50 years in the U.S., and overall deaths from heart disease have dropped by 66% among adults 25 and older, according to a new study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association.

That’s a huge win.

“Over the past 50 years, our understanding of heart disease — what causes it and how to treat it — has improved dramatically,” said Dr. Sara King, lead author of the study and a resident at Stanford University School of Medicine. “People are surviving heart attacks today that would have been a death sentence decades ago.”

But Here’s the Catch: Other Heart Conditions Are on the Rise

While fewer people are dying from heart attacks, deaths from other heart-related conditions have been quietly climbing. In fact, non-heart attack cardiac deaths have increased by 81%, the study found.

That includes:

• Arrhythmias (irregular heartbeats) – up 450% since 1970
• Heart failure – up 146%
• Hypertensive heart disease (caused by high blood pressure) – up 106%

In 1970, heart attacks made up more than half (54%) of all heart-related deaths. By 2022, that number dropped to 29%, as other forms of heart disease became more prominent.

“This shift is significant,” said Dr. Andrew Freeman, a cardiologist at National Jewish Health in Denver, who wasn’t involved in the study. “These days, people are less likely to die from a heart attack — but many are left dealing with chronic, debilitating conditions.”

Living Longer, But Not Necessarily Better

Surviving a heart attack doesn’t always mean you’re back to normal. “You might be alive,” Freeman explained, “but now you have heart failure, need a daily mix of medications, and feel short of breath just walking across the room. It’s one thing to survive — it’s another to feel healthy.”

What’s Driving the Rise in Other Heart Diseases?

Researchers say it comes down to a mix of lifestyle, aging, and chronic health conditions:

• Obesity: up from 15% in 1970 to 40% in 2022
• Type 2 diabetes and prediabetes: now affect nearly half of all U.S. adults
• High blood pressure: increased from 30% in 1978 to nearly 50% in 2022
• Poor diet and sedentary lifestyles: both common contributors

And let’s not forget the Baby Boomer effect: an aging population more prone to developing heart issues is also a major factor.

“All of these risk factors contribute to the ongoing burden of heart disease — especially when it comes to heart failure, arrhythmias, and hypertension-related conditions,” said Dr. Latha Palaniappan, senior author of the study and professor of cardiovascular medicine at Stanford.

What Needs to Happen Now? Prevention — and Starting Young

“Heart disease hasn’t disappeared,” Palaniappan said. “Our focus needs to shift toward prevention — and it needs to begin early, even in childhood.”

Experts say this means doubling down on:

• Healthy eating habits
• Regular physical activity
• Managing blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar
• Educating the public about the importance of early intervention

Because while it’s a win that more people survive heart attacks, the ultimate goal is living longer and feeling well while doing it.