Heart Disease Is Leading Cause of Death in U.S. and Leading Underlying Condition for COVID-19

Every 36 seconds in the US a person dies from cardiovascular disease. Heart disease or cardiovascular disease occurs when there is narrowed or blocked blood vessels that can lead to a heart attack, chest pain (angina) or stroke. Generally, any heart condition that affects the heart’s muscle, valves or rhythm are considered forms of heart disease. According to the Mayo Clinic, the most common type of heart disease is coronary artery disease (CAD), which can lead to heart attack.

There could be wave of advanced heart disease and disability coming according to the Augusta Chronicle. 20 percent of the reported “440 COVID-19 hospitalizations for Richmond County and the 137 for Columbia County suffered heart damage” according to statistics from the Georgia Department of Public Health. These statistics equates to “115 patients with heart issues from a COVID-19 infection in two counties” said Dr. Mac Bowman. Statewide the number is much higher, with over 4,500 according to analysis by The Augusta Chronicle..

According to the CDC, “1 in 3 people with COVID-19 has cardiovascular disease”,
COVID-19 patients with underlying conditions such as cardiovascular disease are “six times more likely to be hospitalized and 12 times more likely to die than patients without any other chronic health problems”.. Cardiovascular disease is the most common underlying health problem for people with COVID-19.

About 655,000 people in the U.S. die each year from heart disease, 1 in 4 deaths is attributed to heart disease making it the leading cause of death in the U.S. The American Heart Association said that many forms of heart disease can be prevented or treated with healthy lifestyle choices. The Most Honorable Elijah Muhammad’s book “How To Eat To Live” advises us to eat the right foods and avoid foods that cause inflammation in the body to maintain good health.