Obesity-Related Heart Deaths More Than Doubled Since 1999

For several years now it has been apparent that success in reducing deaths due to cardiovascular disease has slowed or stopped. This is part of the story of declining U.S. life expectancy that headlines often overlook. New research at the upcoming AHA Scientific Sessions tells us rising obesity might explain much of this trend. In fact, since 1999, the rate of obesity-related heart deaths have more than doubled in the U.S.

In 1999, the age-adjusted rate of cardiovascular deaths related to obesity was 1.92 per 100,000 persons. By 2020, that rate went up to 4.69. For men, it more than tripled.

Striking Racial Disparities

The lead author of this research is Aleenah Mohsin. She explained that the rate of growth and racial disparities are troubling:

“We did expect an increase in deaths related to obesity since the prevalence of obesity has been rising steadily for years. However, we did not anticipate this magnitude of increase in mortality, especially among middle-aged men. The racial disparities, particularly the higher rates of death among Black individuals, were also striking and suggest that social and perhaps environmental factors may also be playing a significant role.”

Time for a Fresh Look at Population Health Strategies

These data suggest a clear explanation for the reversal of successes in reducing cardiovascular mortality. Much of the former success came from treating high blood pressure and cholesterol. Until recently, AHA and much of the public dismissed the idea of medical and surgical obesity treatment. The thought was that obesity was merely the product of bad behavior. That did not prove to be true. The causes are more complex and without treatment, obesity progresses and causes many other problems.

The old way of thinking is on its way out and these data make it clear why. Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in the U.S. and obesity is a key driver of it. To prevent deaths due to heart disease, health policy must get serious about treating obesity. Thank goodness medical and surgical tools for doing this have advanced so much to make it possible.

Click here to read the study abstract, here, here, and here to read more.

Bleeding Heart, photograph by Andy Morffew, licensed under CC BY 2.0

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November 12, 2024