The American Heart Association's 2026 Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics Update reveals that while deaths from cardiovascular diseases have declined following a five-year upward trend likely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, heart disease and stroke together still kill more Americans annually than any other cause. According to data published in Circulation, the Association's flagship journal, heart disease accounted for 22% of U.S. deaths in 2023, maintaining its position as the leading cause of death for more than a century, while stroke accounted for 5.3% of deaths, replacing COVID-19 as the fourth leading cause of death.
Total cardiovascular disease deaths, including heart disease, stroke, hypertension and heart failure, decreased to 915,973 in 2023 from 941,652 in 2022. The age-adjusted death rate improved to 218.3 per 100,000 people from 224.3 per 100,000. Despite these improvements, cardiovascular diseases claim more lives each year than all forms of cancer and accidental deaths combined. On average, someone died of cardiovascular disease every 34 seconds in 2023, with coronary heart disease causing approximately two deaths every three minutes and stroke claiming a life every three minutes and 14 seconds.
While overall stroke deaths decreased for the first time in several years, concerning trends emerged in specific age groups. The crude stroke death rate increased by 8.3% among people aged 25 to 34 between 2013 and 2023, and by 18.2% among those older than 85 during the same period. These increases contrast with previous years when rates were stable or showed smaller increases.
The report highlights persistent increases in common health conditions that drive cardiovascular risk. Approximately 125.9 million U.S. adults now have high blood pressure, nearly 29.5 million have diagnosed diabetes, and about 50% of adults have obesity or severe obesity. An alarming increase in youth obesity was noted, rising from 25.4% to 28.1% among those aged 2 to 19. For the first time, the Statistics Update includes a chapter on cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic syndrome, revealing that nearly 90% of U.S. adults have some level of this interconnected health disorder, and over 80% of young and middle-aged adults already show early risk.
Research cited in the update demonstrates that following the American Heart Association's Life's Essential 8™ healthy lifestyle guidance can significantly reduce cardiovascular risk. A review of 59 studies found that people with ideal cardiovascular health had a 74% lower risk of cardiovascular events compared to those with poor cardiovascular health. Optimal adherence to these measures could prevent up to 40% of annual all-cause and cardiovascular disease deaths among U.S. adults. Better cardiovascular health was also associated with better brain health, including slower cognitive decline and reduced dementia risk.
Despite these findings, adherence to healthy lifestyle measures remains poor. Diet scores are the lowest among the eight measures, only 25.3% of adults meet national physical activity guidelines, and e-cigarettes have become the most used tobacco products among youth, with 18.1% of high school students reporting use. Less than half of adults being treated for Type 2 diabetes have their condition under control.
The statistics update serves as a critical resource for understanding the impact of cardiovascular disease and shaping awareness efforts and policy. As the leading non-profit funder of heart disease and stroke research worldwide, the American Heart Association uses this data to guide its lifesaving work and address the growing burden of cardiovascular disease globally.
