Heart Disease – A Leading Problem in the Decline in U.S. Life Expectancy

A Red Hesrt With A Stethoscope

A recent report released by the National Center for Health Statistics found that U.S. life expectancy is on the decline for the first time in two decades, with signs pointing to an increase in heart disease as one of the main culprits. The most recent data from 2015 showed Americans could expect to live 78.8 years – a decrease of about one month from the previous year.

While that may seem minor, U.S. life expectancy has almost consistently risen for decades due to gains in medical and public health knowledge. The report found mortality rates increased for eight of the top 10 leading causes of death, including heart disease, diabetes and substance abuse.

What is possibly most troubling is the data on heart disease, the number one killer in the United States. The death rate for heart disease increased by almost 1 percent, or by about 20,000 more deaths than the previous year. The reasons for this increase remain unclear, although one major factor may be the country’s obesity epidemic.

Obesity & Life Expectancy

Nearly 70 percent of American adults are overweight, and one-third are obese, according to the American Heart Association. Defined as a body mass index of 30 or higher, obesity puts you at a higher risk for health problems such as heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, diabetes and more.

Because obesity can impact health outcomes across the board, it could help explain why mortality rates have increased in multiple areas. As more people become obese, the trend of flat or declining life expectancy among American adults could continue. However, just because life expectancy trended downward this year doesn’t mean Americans can’t take control of their health in 2017 and beyond.

Changing Your Lifestyle

Living a heart-healthy lifestyle can not only increase the length of your life but also improve its quality. Even if you’ve already experienced a cardiac event or had a heart procedure, studies show it’s not too late to take your heart health into your hands. For instance, one recent study from the Journal of the American College of Cardiology found that people with atrial fibrillation dramatically increased the effectiveness of traditional treatments for their arrhythmia by making lifestyle changes and losing weight.

The keys to a healthy lifestyle are regular physical activity and a diet low in fat and added sugar. Adults should aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate exercise, or 60 to 75 minutes of vigorous exercise, per week. You should focus on a diet high in fruits, vegetables and whole grains, as well as foods low in salt, added sugar and fat. One way to make exercising and dieting easier is to do it with your family and friends. Another important part of a healthy lifestyle is regularly seeing a doctor to monitor your health, so you can discover medical problems early and receive proper treatment.

While it can be difficult to make lifestyle changes, turning good habits into a long-term routine could greatly improve your chances of living a long and healthy life.

Dr. Dilip Mathew is Board Certified in Cardiology & Cardiac Electrophysiology and has been practicing in the Sarasota area since 2004. He has devoted his practice entirely to the management of heart rhythm disorders. For more information on Dr. Mathew and his specialty treating Atrial fibrillation, contact us.

About Heart Rhythm Consultants, P.A.

The experienced electrophysiologists of Heart Rhythm Consultants, P.A. have been serving West Florida including Sarasota, Venice, Tampa, and Sun City Center for over 15 years. Our specialty cardiologists, or EP doctors, help patients manage their abnormal heart rhythm conditions, whether they suffer from arrhythmias like atrial fibrillation (AFib), or other irregular heartbeats. Dr. Dilip J. Mathew and Dr. Rajesh Malik perform arrhythmia treatments like cardiac ablation, cryoablation, and implanting pacemakers or defibrillators. Dr. Mathew has performed nearly 5,000 complex cardiac ablations. View our office locations in Sarasota and Venice, Florida.