Heart Diseases Remain Top Cause Of Death In US: Read Full Report

Heart disease and cancer maintained their grim distinction as the leading causes of death in the United States in 2023, together accounting for 40% of all fatalities. As per the latest data revealed by the CDC, the overall death rate from these conditions saw modest declines. However. COVID-19 dropped significantly to become the 10th leading cause of death, indicating that its impact had reduced.

Cardiovascular disease remained the leading cause of death among the people. According to the latest report by the National Center for Health Statistics, deaths from heart disease were recorded at 162.1 in 2023. This was a slight decline from 167.2 per 100,000 people in 2022. Cancer-related fatalities also declined marginally from 142.3 to 141.8 per 100,000. Despite these reductions, the two conditions remain at the top of the list.

Coronavirus, which held the fourth spot in 2022 with 44.5 deaths per 100,000 people, dropped significantly to 11.9 in 2023. This sharp decline reflects increased immunity, widespread vaccination efforts, and advancements in treatment protocols. However, the virus still claimed enough lives to remain among the top 10 causes of death.

Accidental deaths, the third leading cause, showed a slight reduction, decreasing from 64.0 per 100,000 in 2022 to 62.3 in 2023. Stroke-related deaths also dipped marginally, from 39.5 to 39 per 100,000, while chronic lower respiratory diseases declined from 34.3 to 33.4. These changes, though minor, suggest ongoing efforts to address risk factors in the healthcare system.

Other conditions that showed decline were Alzheimer's disease, diabetes, kidney disease, and chronic liver disease. Deaths from Alzheimer's, which is a neurodegenerative disease, fell from 28.9 per 100,000 in 2022 to 27.7 in 2023. Diabetes-related fatalities decreased from 24.1 to 22.4 per 100,000. Meanwhile, kidney disease and chronic liver disease dropped to 13.1 and 13.0 per 100,000, respectively, from 13.8 each in the prior year.

ALSO READ: Why Is Snow Shoveling Risky For Your Heart?

A Shift In Focus

The significant drop in COVID-19 deaths marks a shift in public health priorities as the nation continues to recover from the pandemic's acute phases. While efforts to curb COVID-19 have yielded promising results, the data reaffirms the persistent burden of chronic illnesses like heart disease, cancer, and diabetes on the healthcare system.

This report comes as the US and other Western countries are witnessing extremely cold weather. Recent research has found that shovelling snow, which may seem like a routine winter task, poses significant health risks, particularly for the heart. The cold temperatures combined with physical exertion can strain the cardiovascular system, increasing the likelihood of heart attacks. A study by the American Heart Association (AHA) linked heavy snowfall (7–8 inches) to a 16% increase in heart attack hospitalizations among men and a 34% rise in fatal heart attacks. Moreover, these constricted blood vessels also contribute to high blood pressure, exacerbating the risks of brain stroke.