The risk of developing cardiovascular disease (CVD) in one’s lifetime after the age of 45 years exceeds 60% for men and 55% for women overall, a new study suggests. The study appears in the November 7, 2011 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association, a theme issue on CVD. It was released early online today to coincide with the American Heart Association 2012 Scientific Sessions under way in Los Angeles, CA.
| Index age | Risk in men, % (95% CI) | Risk in women, % (95% CI) |
|---|---|---|
| 45 | 60.3 (59.3-61.2) | 55.6 (54.5-56.7) |
| 55 | 60.2 (59.1-61.2) | 56.3 (55.2-57.4) |
| 65 | 59.0 (57.6-60.4) | 56.1 (54.7-57.5) |
| 75 | 54.5 (52.2-56.9) | 52.3 (50.3-54.3) |
The finding of a substantial lifetime CVD risk even among individuals with an optimal risk-factor profile highlights “the large public-health burden and opportunities for prevention of total CVD,” the authors conclude.
In other words, over half of all Americans will be affected by heart disease in their lifetimes. The good news is that it is preventable through diet and exercise. Eating heart healthy could reduce these statistics to 10% down from 50%.