Deaths from heart attacks and heart disease are down

(CNN, KYMA/KECY) - Deaths from heart attacks and overall heart disease in the U.S. have dropped significantly over the past 50 years, according to a new study published Wednesday in the journal of the American Heart Association.

It indicates overall heart disease death rates dropped 66% in U.S. adults age 25 and older, and deaths from heart attacks dropped by nearly 90%.

The study analyzed government data on heart disease deaths between 1970 and 2022.

The lead author says significant developments are helping people survive cardiac events that were once a death sentence.

However, there is a flip side to the findings.

Deaths from all other kinds of heart disease, like arrhythmia, heart failure, and hypertensive heart disease increased 81% in the U.S.

Contributing risk factors include a rise in obesity, type two diabetes, high blood pressure, poor food choices, and a lack of physical activity.

Heart disease is the leading cause of death around the world.