Statistics

Statistics related to heart disease:

Each year, heart disease is at the top of the list of the country's most serious health problems. In fact, statistics show that cardiovascular disease is America's leading health problem, and the leading cause of death. Consider these statistics released by the American Heart Association (AHA):

• At least 64 million people in this country suffer from some form of heart disease.

• One person in five suffers from some form of cardiovascular disease. This includes high blood pressure - 50 million; coronary heart disease - 13.2 million; stroke - 4.8 million; congenital cardiovascular defects - 1 million; and congestive heart failure - 4.5 million.

• Rheumatic heart disease / rheumatic fever kills almost 3,489 Americans each year.

• Almost one out of every 2.6 deaths result from cardiovascular disease.

• More than 2,600 Americans die of cardiovascular disease each day, an average of one death every 34 seconds.

• Cardiovascular disease is the cause of more deaths than the next five causes of death combined, which are cancer, chronic lower respiratory diseases, accidents, diabetes mellitus, and flu/pneumonia.

• It is a myth that heart disease is a man's disease. In fact, cardiovascular diseases are the number one killer of women (and men). These diseases currently claim the lives of more than a half a million females every year.

• About one-third (33 percent) of cardiovascular disease deaths occurred prematurely (before age 77, the approximate average life expectancy).

• On average, someone in the US suffers a stroke every 45 seconds; someone dies every 3.3 minutes from stroke.

• Stroke is a leading cause of serious, long-term disability that accounts for more than half of all patients hospitalized for a neurological disease. Stroke deaths have been increasing in recent years.

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Heart and Vascular Health Services at
Rush University Medical Center

At Rush University Medical Center in Chicago, Illinois, cardiologists, cardiovascular surgeons, researchers and nurse specialists work in teams to address the full scope of heart problems, whether common or complex.

Working in state-of-the art facilities, using some of the world’s most sophisticated technology, these experts are on the leading edge of diagnosis, treatment and discovery. From preventive measures to heart transplantation, they are helping to revolutionize heart care.

For more information about cardiovascular services at Rush visit our Heart & Vascular Programs home page.

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