In the United States, the rate of hospital admissions and deaths related to heart disease has shown a significant decline over the past 20 years.
By studying the medical records of over 34 million people, researchers found that, between the years of 1999 and 2011, people who were 65 years old and over had been admitted to hospitals across the country for various medical conditions. According to the data, the rate at which heart failure, heart attack, and stroke have been the reason for these hospitalizations had declined by 30 to 40% during this period, which is a rate that is faster than any other type of condition. Even hospitalization rates for unstable angina, a condition characterized by of significant reduction in the blood flow to the heart and can cause heart attacks, has dropped by a remarkable 83%.
Data from the study also showed how the people who are hospitalized now for these heart conditions have a significantly lower risk of dying, around 13% lower in fact, compared to patients in the year 1999.
Dr. Harlan Krumholz, Professor of Medicine at Yale University said that, "Interestingly, these improvements happened in a period when there were no real 'miracle' clinical advancements. Huge strides in lifestyles, quality of care and prevention strategies for cardiovascular health have seemed to have a ripple effect on saving lives." He was referring to the fact that, during this period of decline, the only notable improvement that were made to advance the treatments of these conditions was the early management of high blood pressure and the use of statins for regulating high cholesterol. Researchers also say that the alteration of certain lifestyle practices such as an increase in physical activity and a decline in smoking and alcohol consumption are factors that come into play and could have influenced the trend.