February: Show Your Heart a Little Love for American Heart Month
- Date: March 2, 2026
February is American Heart Month, making it the perfect time to focus on cardiovascular health and show your heart some well-deserved love. As the leading cause of death in the United States for over a century, heart disease is a reality that touches many of our lives. While the statistics may seem daunting — with recent data showing distinct risk variations across age, sex, and racial demographics — the most important takeaway is that cardiovascular disease is largely preventable. Read on to understand how the heart works, who is most at risk, and the practical, everyday steps you can take to protect your cardiovascular health for years to come.
Function of the Heart
The heart is a muscular organ that pumps blood throughout the body.1 Without the heart, cells in the body cannot get the oxygen and nutrients needed for survival.
Different Kinds of Heart Disease
Heart disease refers to several different conditions that affect the heart, including:2
- Blood vessel disease (e.g., coronary artery disease)
- Irregular heartbeat
- Congenital heart defects (heart conditions one is born with)
- Disease of the heart muscle
- Heart valve disease
Heart Disease Statistics in the United States
Heart disease has been the leading cause of death in the United States for more than 100 years.3 Analyzing 2024 mortality data from CDC WONDER, Data Maven found that there were slightly more than 922,000 deaths caused by diseases of the circulatory system (ICD-10 codes I00-I99, which include deaths from ischaemic heart diseases, cerebrovascular diseases, hypertensive diseases, and others).4 The vast majority of those deaths (97.6%) occurred among adults age 45 and older. Because of this, our analysis focused on adults age 45 and older.
The death rate from heart disease increases as we age. Those between the ages of 45 and 54 had a rate of 94.1 deaths per 100,000 people in 2024, compared with 5,207.3 deaths per 100,000 among those age 85 and older.
The risk of dying from heart disease increases with age.
Figure 1. Rates of Death From Heart Disease Among Adults Age 45 and Older by Age Group, 2024
Source: National Vital Statistics System, Mortality Files, Underlying Cause of Death by Single Race 2018-2024 via CDC WONDER Online Database.
In 2024, the rate was higher among men age 45 and older (688.5 deaths per 100,000) than among women in the same age group (570.9).
Men are at higher risk of dying from heart disease than women.
Figure 2. Rates of Death from Heart Disease Among Adults Age 45 and Older by Sex, 2024
Source: National Vital Statistics System, Mortality Files, Underlying Cause of Death by Single Race 2018-2024 via CDC WONDER Online Database.
Death rates from heart disease vary by racial and ethnic group. In 2024, heart disease deaths were highest among non-Hispanic Black or African American adults (716.0 per 100,000), non-Hispanic white adults (711.2), and non-Hispanic Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander (554.8) adults. Non-Hispanic multiracial (240.2), non-Hispanic Asian (304.8), and Hispanic or Latino adults (319.0) had the lowest rates.
Figure 3. Rates of Death From Heart Disease Among Adults Age 45 and Older by Race and Ethnicity, 2024
Note: AI/AN refers to American Indian or Alaska Native adults, whereas NH/OPI refers to Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander adults. All racial groups are non-Hispanic. Hispanic/Latino ethnicity includes members of all racial groups.
Source: National Vital Statistics System, Mortality Files, Underlying Cause of Death by Single Race 2018-2024 via CDC WONDER Online Database.
Risk Factors for Heart Disease
There are many factors that can increase your risk of heart disease, including:5
- High blood pressure (hypertension)
- Unhealthy blood cholesterol levels
- Diabetes
- Poor diet
- Lack of physical activity
- Tobacco and excess alcohol use
- Genetics and family history
Preventing Heart Disease
Adults should have their cholesterol levels checked regularly.6 High cholesterol can lead to plaque buildup in the arteries, which can decrease or even block blood flow to the heart and other vital organs.7 It is also important to monitor and manage blood pressure levels — high blood pressure can reduce blood flow, increasing the risk of heart attack and heart failure.8
People of all ages can help keep their hearts healthy by eating a healthy diet and staying active.9 A heart-healthy diet is low in saturated and trans fats, sodium, and sugar-sweetened beverages, focusing more on fruits and vegetables, whole grains, fish, lean meat, legumes, and nuts.
Because alcohol and tobacco use can raise your risk of heart disease, it is important to avoid smoking and limit alcohol consumption.6 For physical activity, adults are recommended to get at least 150 minutes of moderate- or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity aerobic exercise every week, along with additional strength training.10 The American Heart Association offers additional advice for adults of specific age groups.9
Appendix Tables
Table 1. Rates of Death from Heart Disease Among Adults Age 45 and Older by Age Group, 2024
| Age Group | Total Deaths | Rate per 100,000 |
|---|---|---|
| 45-54 years | 38,387 | 94.1 |
| 55-64 years | 97,783 | 234.7 |
| 65-74 years | 179,385 | 506.1 |
| 75-84 years | 249,775 | 1,294.2 |
| 85+ years | 335,100 | 5,207.3 |
Source: National Vital Statistics System, Mortality Files, Underlying Cause of Death by Single Race 2018-2024 via CDC WONDER Online Database.
Table 2. Rates of Death from Heart Disease Among Adults Age 45 and Older by Sex, 2024
| Sex | Total Deaths | Rate per 100,000 |
|---|---|---|
| Women | 429,298 | 570.9 |
| Men | 471,132 | 688.5 |
Source: National Vital Statistics System, Mortality Files, Underlying Cause of Death by Single Race 2018-2024 via CDC WONDER Online Database.
Table 3. Rates of Death From Heart Disease Among Adults Age 45 and Older by Race and Ethnicity, 2024
| Race/Ethnicity | Total Deaths | Rate per 100,000 |
|---|---|---|
| American Indian/Alaska Native | 4,557 | 480.0 |
| Asian | 26,387 | 304.8 |
| Black/African American | 114,715 | 716.0 |
| Hispanic/Latino | 64,922 | 319.0 |
| Native Hawaiian/Other Pacific Islander | 1,302 | 554.8 |
| White | 681,148 | 711.2 |
| Multiracial | 3,916 | 240.2 |
Source: National Vital Statistics System, Mortality Files, Underlying Cause of Death by Single Race 2018-2024 via CDC WONDER Online Database.
References
National Cancer Institute. “SEER Training Modules: Heart.” Training.SEER.Cancer.gov. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health. Accessed March 2, 2026. https://training.seer.cancer.gov/anatomy/cardiovascular/heart/.
Mayo Clinic Staff. “Heart Disease - Symptoms and Causes.” MayoClinic.org, August 13, 2024. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/heart-disease/symptoms-causes/syc-20353118.
American Heart Association. “More Than Half of U.S. Adults Don’t Know Heart Disease Is Leading Cause of Death, Despite 100-Year Reign.” Newsroom.Heart.org, January 24, 2024. https://newsroom.heart.org/news/more-than-half-of-u-s-adults-dont-know-heart-disease-is-leading-cause-of-death-despite-100-year-reign.
National Vital Statistics System, Mortality Files, Underlying Cause of Death by Single Race 2018-2024 via CDC WONDER Online Database. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Health Statistics. Accessed February 25, 2026. https://wonder.cdc.gov/ucd-icd10-expanded.html.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “Heart Disease Risk Factors.” CDC.gov, December 2, 2024. https://www.cdc.gov/heart-disease/risk-factors/index.html.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “Preventing Heart Disease.” CDC.gov, January 29, 2026. https://www.cdc.gov/heart-disease/prevention/index.html.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “About Cholesterol.” CDC.gov, May 20, 2025. https://www.cdc.gov/cholesterol/about/index.html.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “About High Blood Pressure.” CDC.gov, January 28, 2026. https://www.cdc.gov/high-blood-pressure/about/index.html.
American Heart Association. “How to Help Prevent Heart Disease At Any Age.” Heart.org. Accessed March 2, 2026. https://www.heart.org/en/healthy-living/healthy-lifestyle/how-to-help-prevent-heart-disease-at-any-age.
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans, 2nd Edition. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2018. https://health.gov/sites/default/files/2019-09/Physical_Activity_Guidelines_2nd_edition.pdf.
