Deaths from heart attacks have decreased – here's what to look out for instead

Prevention measures have come a long way

Coronary heart disease was one of the leading causes of death in Australia two years ago. But a new study in America says less people are dying from heart attacks, so what should we be looking out for?

430,000 Australians will experience a heart attack in their lifetime, according to the Heart Foundation, and one person dies of the artery blockage around every 80 minutes. 

But according to a new study from the Stanford University School of Medicine, deaths from the issue have dropped by close to 90 per cent, and the death rate of heart disease has decreased by 66 per cent in American adults above the age of 25.

The research team found that 54 per cent of deaths from heart issues in 1970 were a result of heart attacks. That number had dropped to 29 per cent in 2022, according to US government data.

Deaths from other conditions have increased

But heart issues are still concerningly prevalent, and other types of heart disease have caused 81 per cent more deaths in the country since 1970.

Arrhythmia, heart failure and hypertensive heart disease are the main worries, with the once rare fatalities from atrial fibrillation and arrhythmias increasing by 450 per cent over the 52 years.

part from the aging population, related conditions are becoming increasingly common, putting more people at risk of heart issues.  Image: iStock

At the same time, heart failure-related deaths grew by 146 per cent, and there was a 106 per cent rise in high blood pressure-related deaths. 

Why are more people dying from other heart diseases?

Apart from the aging population, related conditions are becoming increasingly common, putting more people at risk of heart issues. 

Obesity rates grew from 15 per cent to 40 per cent in the 52-year study period, while the prevalence of hypertension went from 30 per cent in 1978 to almost 50 per cent in 2022. Close to half of American adults are impacted by Type 2 diabetes and prediabetes too.

All of these risk factors contribute to an ongoing burden of heart disease, especially as related to heart failure, hypertensive heart disease and arrhythmias. Image: Pexels

Senior study author Dr Latha Palaniappan explained in a press release, “All of these risk factors contribute to an ongoing burden of heart disease, especially as related to heart failure, hypertensive heart disease and arrhythmias”.

“Heart disease hasn’t gone away. Now that people are surviving heart attacks, we are seeing a rise in other forms of heart disease like heart failure. The focus now must be on helping people age with strong, healthy hearts by preventing events, and prevention can start as early as childhood.”

The team also pointed out that the way heart diseases are defined has changed over the years, and diagnostic tools have improved, so conditions that were rarely noted as a cause of death in the 70s may be more frequently identified now. 

In Australia, rates of cardiovascular disease have also decreased by 80 per cent since the 1980s. Image: iStock

“Over the past 50 years, our understanding of heart disease, what causes it and how we treat it has evolved considerably. That’s especially true in how we address acute cardiac events that may appear to come on suddenly,” the study’s lead author, Dr Sara King explained.

“From the establishment and increased use of bystander CPR and automated external defibrillators to treat cardiac arrest outside the hospital setting, to the creation of systems of care that promote early recognition of and quick procedural and medical intervention to treat heart attacks, there have been great strides made in helping people survive initial acute cardiac events that were once considered a death sentence.”

We’ve won major battles against heart attacks. Image: iStock

In Australia, rates of cardiovascular disease have also decreased by 80 per cent since the 1980s, thanks to a better understanding of medications, interventions and risk factors, according to the Heart Foundation. 

“We’ve won major battles against heart attacks, however, the war against heart disease isn’t over. King said. “We now need to tackle heart failure and other chronic conditions that affect people as they age”.

Originally published as Deaths from heart attacks have decreased – here's what to look out for instead