Even so, cardiovascular diseases, primarily coronary heart disease and stroke, kill nearly as many Americans as all other diseases combined.
Cardiovascular disease is one of the leading causes of disability.
Major modifiable cardiovascular risk factors are high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol, tobacco use, obesity, and physical inactivity. 1 Average adult American blood pressure levels and the prevalence of high blood pressure declined between 1976 and 1991. However, since 1993, deaths from coronary heart disease have evened out, and progress in blood pressure detection, treatment and control has slowed. 2 High blood pressure is most prevalent in older individuals, African-Americans, and in individuals with less education and low socioeconomic status. It is important to keep in mind that there are limitations in interpreting self-reported data.