Up to 2,500 cases of Kawasaki disease are diagnosed yearly. Children older than 8 years are rarely affected. Mortality from Kawasaki disease is under 1 percent. 87 percent of cases are congestive or dilated cardiomyopathy. Recent studies show that 36 percent of young athletes who die suddenly have probable or definite hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.
Mortality is highest in older persons, men and blacks.
About 40,000 babies are born each year with cardiovascular defects. About 1,000,000 Americans with congenital cardiovascular defects are alive today. At least 35 types of defects are recognized. From 1979 to 1998, these discharges increased 159.4 percent. The incidence of CHF approaches 10 per 1,000 population after age 65.