US Health Breakthrough: Rates of Coronary Heart Disease Decreasing

Coronary heart disease is one of the killer diseases all around the globe. In the United States, it is one of the leading causes of death. The good news is that in the new study, the CHD rates have decreased.

The results of the study were published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine. The study reveals that in aged 40 years and older, there is significantly decreased from 10.3 percent in 2001 to 2001 to 8.0 percent in 2011 to 2012.

Sung Sug (Sarah) Yoon, Ph.D., RN, the lead investigator and affiliated with the National Center for Health Statistics said that the decreasing prevalence of CHD (including angina and MI) might result from a combination of prevention efforts and enhancements in the management of risk factors. She explained that the reasons for a lessening in the prevalence of CHD, angina, and MI in the lower CHD-risk groups could relate to general trends in lifestyle changes. These involve improved diet, increased level of physical activity, or other factors such as prophylactic aspirin use among U.S. adults. She added that the anti-smoking prevention efforts have resulted in a decreased prevalence of cigarette smoking. This contributed to the decrease in CHD prevalence as noted by Science Daily.

The researchers use the most recently available data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) in estimating the prevalence of CHD overall, MI and angina. The data includes six two-year NHANES survey cycles beginning in 2001 and concluding with 2012. It also includes results from 21,472 adults 40 years of age or older.

The results of the study showed the overall prevalence of CHD for all adults or older with a decreased from 10.3 percent to 8.0 percent. On the other hand, there was no change in CHD prevalence among adults aged 40 to 59 years. Meanwhile, there was a significant decreasing trend among individuals 60 or above from 19.5 percent in 2001 to 2002 to 14.9 percent in 2011 to 2012. The women also experienced a significant decreasing trend in CHD prevalence from 8.5 percent in 2001 to 2001 to 6.2 percent in 2011 to 2012.

Coronary heart disease (CHD) is a condition wherein a plaque builds up inside the coronary arteries, which provide oxygen-rich blood to heart muscle. This is also called atherosclerosis. CHD can damage the heart muscle and lead to arrhythmias, which are problems with the rate or rhythm of the heartbeat and heart failure. Treatments for coronary heart disease involve lifestyle changes, medical procedures and medicines.