Study reveals overwhelming heart disease risk among U.S. adults

Statistics show an increased risk of heart disease among adults in the United States, with allegedly 90% of adults at risk

The research, based on an analysis of data from over 10,000 participants in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), suggests that nearly 90% of adults over the age of 20 are at risk of developing heart disease.

Cardiovascular-Kidney-Metabolic 

The study, led by Dr Rahul Aggarwal from Brigham and Women’s Hospital at Harvard Medical School, highlights a newly defined syndrome called Cardiovascular-Kidney-Metabolic (CKM) syndrome. This syndrome, which contains a range of risk factors, including obesity, diabetes, hypertension, and kidney disease, affects major organs in the body, including the heart, brain, liver, and kidneys.

Almost half of the NHANES participants were found to be at stage 2 of CKM, indicating a moderate risk due to factors such as high blood sugar, hypertension, high cholesterol, or chronic kidney disease. More than a quarter of participants were classified as stage 1, meaning they were at increased risk due to obesity or being overweight, without specific symptoms.

CKM and obesity 

The study shows the persistent challenge of obesity in the U.S., with 40% of Americans classified as obese and an additional 32% overweight, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Carrying excess weight significantly increases the likelihood of developing high blood pressure, high blood sugar, and high cholesterol, even among those considered to be at a healthy weight.

Age alone does not provide significant protection against heart disease risk. While participants over 65 were more likely to be at an advanced stage of CKM, the study found that only 18% of adults aged 20 to 44 had no risk factors for heart disease.

These findings show the urgent need for proactive measures to address the growing epidemic of heart disease risk factors in the U.S. Public health initiatives aimed at promoting healthy lifestyle choices, including diet and exercise, are essential for reducing the prevalence of obesity and metabolic risk factors.