Heart Disease Leading Cause of Death, Report Shows

A new Global Burden of Disease (GBD) report shows that cardiovascular diseases (CVD), including heart disease, remain the leading cause of death worldwide, accounting for roughly one in three deaths globally. According to the study, in 2023, there were an estimated 19.2 million deaths due to CVD — a substantial rise from the 13.1 million recorded in 1990.
The report, published in JACC and highlighted by the American College of Cardiology, points to rapid increases in risk factors like obesity and diabetes, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. It notes that modifiable risk factors — including high body mass index and high fasting glucose — now contribute to nearly 80% of cardiovascular disease burden (DALYs). Researchers also stressed other factors like air pollution, tobacco use, and unhealthy diets as significant contributors.
In the United States, heart disease continues to claim more lives than any other cause. Data from the American Heart Association’s 2025 Heart Disease & Stroke Statistics report shows that 941,652 Americans died from cardiovascular disease in 2022 alone — an increase from the previous year. The report also highlights that despite medical advances, major risk factors such as hypertension, obesity, and diabetes are rising rapidly.
Health experts are framing this as a wake-up call for national governments and global health institutions. They argue that effective, cost-efficient interventions — such as stronger public health policies, earlier screening, and better access to treatment — are urgently needed to curb this growing cardiovascular disease crisis.