Deaths from cardiovascular disease (heart attack and stroke) have been declining in America for decades - until now. The deaths have leveled out. We are no longer making progress. In fact, deaths from heart attack and stroke are increasing in younger adults, aged 35 to 64. All bad news. Most of this excess disease is due to the epidemic of obesity and diabetes. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is now re-engaging the public and professionals with the goal of preventing 1 million deaths from cardiovascular disease by 2022. The savings, both financially and of suffering and pain could be astronomical. The good news as Jane Brody writes in this New York Times piece, is that we don’t need new drugs or revolutionary new treatments. “All it really requires is the will of individuals and society to follow it.” Well, that may be a naive simplification. It is clear what individuals need to do. But it is not easy. Namely: stop smoking, reduce salt intake, control blood pressure, reduce cholesterol, take your prescribed medications, and get active. Now is the time to do this, especially if you are between 35 and 64 years old.
Read: The New York Times: Prevent A Million Heart Attacks And Strokes By 2022