Death Rates
Heart attacks are the leading cause of death in the United States. Nearly one million people die per year of heart attacks or other “cardiovascular†illness, including stroke. Approximately half of these people have a heart attack.
One in five deaths is due to a heart attack.
Racial Differences in Heart Attacks
There are some racial differences in death rates from heart attacks. Black men have the highest risk, followed by white men, then black women, and finally, white women who have the lowest risk.
Declining Death From heart Attacks
The mortality rate is declining. Better medication as well as decreased smoking and awareness of heart attack risk factors are all contributing factors.
Incidence
There are over 1 million new heart attacks per year in the United States. Approximately one third of those who have a heart attack will die from it during the same year.
Prevalence
Nearly 16 million people with coronary artery disease that causes angina or heart attacks are alive in the United States..