AHA Responds to CDC Mortality Rates Report

An experienced radiologist and professor, Dr. Sammie I. Long previously taught at the University of South Alabama Medical Center both as an assistant professor of radiology and as a director of angiography and interventional radiology. Dr. Sammie I. Long is also a member and supporter of the American Heart Association.

According to recent data released by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, heart disease is still the most common cause of death in the country, and strokes are the fifth most common. It is worth noting that the heart disease mortality rate in Americans did fall over the prior year, from 168.5 to 165.5 out of every 100,000 people; however, the small decrease isn’t in line with previous years, in which the death rate from heart disease and stroke fell more sharply. 

According to the CDC, younger people are now being diagnosed with heart disease. This is most likely associated with the increased diagnosis of high blood pressure at earlier ages, as well as climbing obesity rates. American Heart Association CEO Nancy Brown commented that the organization sees that it still has a lot of ground to cover in order to help raise awareness of heart disease, and support measures to help Americans become healthier.