WORLDWIDE CONTACT US ABOUT US PRODUCTS RESEARCH LICENSING NEWSROOM CAREERS INVESTORS Home HEART DISEASE According to statistics from the American Heart Association, cardiovascular disease causes 17.3 million deaths each year across the globe – more than all forms of cancer combined. ONE EVERY 40 SECONDS In the U.S., nearly 787,000 people died from heart disease, stroke and other cardiovascular diseases in 2011. About 2,150 Americans die each day from these diseases, one every 40 seconds. ALTHOUGH THE DEATH RATE FROM HEART DISEASE FELL APPROXIMATELY 39 PERCENT BETWEEN 2001 AND 2011, THE BURDEN AND RISK FACTORS REMAIN ALARMINGLY HIGH 69% For example, over 159 million U.S. adults — or about 69 percent — are overweight or obese and less than 1 percent of U.S. adults meet the American Heart Association's definition for "Ideal Healthy Diet." 33% About 80 million U.S. adults — or about 33 percent — have high pressure, and among those who are treating their high blood pressure, only about half have their condition controlled. HOWEVER, THERE ARE A NUMBER STEPS YOU CAN TAKE TO HELP IMPROVE YOUR HEART HEALTH: EAT A HEALTHY DIET MAINTAIN A HEALTHY WEIGHT EXERCISE REGULARLY DON'T SMOKE LIMIT ALCOHOL USE WORK WITH YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER to manage your blood pressure, cholesterol, and diabetes. LEARN MORE ABOUT HEART DISEASE American Heart Association CDC – About Heart Disease Million Hearts Copyright © 2009-2016 Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp., a subsidiary of Merck & Co., Inc. All rights reserved. Forward-Looking Statement Privacy Terms of Use Site Map