Over half of US adults will have cardiovascular disease by 2050, research shows

New research from the American Heart Association predicts that approximately 61% of US adults will have cardiovascular disease by 2050.

The study identifies high blood pressure as the primary driver of this trend, significantly increasing the likelihood of heart attacks and strokes.

Heart disease has remained the leading cause of death in the US for decades, causing over 800,000 fatalities annually, despite advancements in treatment.

According to the research published on Tuesday, the number of adults with some form of cardiovascular disease (excluding high blood pressure) or those who will experience a stroke is expected to rise to 45 million by 2050, up from 28 million in 2020.

By 2050, 22% of the US population will be over the age of 65, compared to just 13% ten years ago. Additionally, the median age in the US is projected to increase from 37 in 2010 to 41 by 2050.