Staying Healthy
The weighty issue of heart disease
Heart disease rates have dropped over the past decade, but increasing weight gain among Americans could change that.
- Reviewed by Howard E. LeWine, MD, Chief Medical Editor, Harvard Health Publishing
Heart disease remains the leading cause of death in men, accounting for one in every four fatalities. But there is good news. The prevalence of heart disease among men dropped in the last decade, falling from 8.3% in 2009 to 7.2% in 2018.
"Much of this decline can be attributed to the more aggressive lowering of cholesterol and the number of men who have quit smoking," says Dr. Christopher Cannon, a cardiologist with Harvard-affiliated Brigham and Women's Hospital and editor in chief of the Harvard Heart Letter.
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About the Author
Matthew Solan, Executive Editor, Harvard Men's Health Watch
About the Reviewer
Howard E. LeWine, MD, Chief Medical Editor, Harvard Health Publishing
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