Obesity epidemic threatens to end trend of longer lifespans

Sarah Sipek | | Cardiovascular Business | Interventional Cardiology

Americans’ lives have been getting steadily longer since the 1960s, thanks in part to a steady decline in heart disease rates. However, that trend of longer, healthier lives may soon be coming to an end.

According to an article published in JAMA Cardiology, the previous decline in heart disease trends was due to two major factors: management of risk factors and improved medical care. However, the obesity epidemic threatens to end that progress.

Since 1985, more and more Americans have dealt with the high blood pressure, raised cholesterol and risk of diabetes that accompanies diabetes.

If this trend continues, heart disease will end up costing the U.S. $800 billion a year by 2030. That's equivalent to the stimulus package that Congress passed in 2008 to prevent a global financial disaster.

Click blow for the full article: Are We Reaching The End Of The Trend For Longer, Healthier Lives?

Are We Reaching The End Of The Trend For Longer, Healthier Lives?

Sarah Sipek

Related Content

Cardiologists reflect on developing primary PCI in face of criticism and pushback
How TAVR valve choice impacts outcomes when treating type 1 bicuspid AS
IVUS-guided PCI reduces risks in patients with diabetes
Medtronic using AI to identify more TAVR patients in need
SAVR linked to higher 10-year survival rate than TAVR for low-risk patients
LAAC with Watchman FLX reduces bleeding risks after AFib ablation

Around the web

Health Imaging
Use of AI opportunistic screening in CT for cardiovascular disease

Ron Blankstein, MD, professor of radiology, Harvard Medical School, explains the use of artificial intelligence to detect heart disease in non-cardiac CT exams.

Health Imaging
New imaging protocols proposed to curb rise of cardiovascular infections

Eleven medical societies have signed on to a consensus statement aimed at standardizing imaging for suspected cardiovascular infections.

Radiology Business
What does radiology have to do with climate change?

Kate Hanneman, MD, explains why many vendors and hospitals want to lower radiology's impact on the environment. "Taking steps to reduce the carbon footprint in healthcare isn’t just an opportunity," she said. "It’s also a responsibility."

Design by Adaptive Theme
Trimed Popup
Trimed Popup