Heart Problems Are Killing More Americans—Even Younger Ones. Here’s How to Reduce Your Risk

The heart health of younger Americans may be declining, even after years of medical progress.

Heart disease is, and has for years been, the leading cause of death among American men and women. But for decades, medical and therapeutic advances were enough to drive down cardiovascular death rates. More recently, however, that progress has stalled and the trend has begun to reverse, with certain populations seeing rising rates of some heart issues.

The heart health of younger Americans may be declining, even after years of medical progress. Heart disease is, and has for years been, the leading cause of death among American men and women. But for decades, medical and therapeutic advances were enough to drive down cardiovascular death rates. More recently, however, that progress has stalled and the trend has begun to reverse, with certain populations seeing rising rates of some heart issues.