Heart disease remains the #1 cause of death in the United States—and cardiovascular disease costs our country more than $414 billion every year
- Heart disease remains the #1 cause of death in the U.S. and worldwide.
- In 2023, cardiovascular disease caused 915,973 deaths in the U.S. That includes heart disease, stroke, hypertension and heart failure.
- Someone in the U.S. died from cardiovascular disease about every 34 seconds in 2023 — roughly 2,510 deaths every day.
- Heart disease alone accounted for about 22% of all U.S. deaths in 2023.
- Cardiovascular disease costs the U.S. approximately $414.7 billion every year in direct and indirect costs.
Heart disease has always felt personal to me.
My grandmother lived with high blood pressure underwent a triple heart bypass. Over the years, her heart disease contributed to a number of other health complications and comorbidities that affected her quality of life. Watching someone I love navigate so many health challenges made me realize how deeply heart disease can impact not just one person, but an entire family.
My abuela was someone who did not have many opportunities for formal education, and her experience also reminds me that health is influenced by so much more than what happens in a doctor’s office. Access to education, preventive care, resources, and the ability to understand and manage risk factors can all play a role in someone’s health journey.
That is why participating in the American Heart Association’s Leaders of Impact campaign is personally meaningful to me. I believe we can change the story for future generations through research, education, prevention, and better access to care.
I’m asking you to join me in supporting the American Heart Association. Every donation helps advance work that can save lives, improve health, and give more families the chance to spend more years with the people they love.
Thank you for helping me honor my grandmother and support a cause that is so close to my heart. ❤
The American Heart Association‘s impact is pretty remarkable
- The American Heart Association has invested more than $6.3 billion in scientific research since 1949.
- That funding has supported nearly 53,000 research projects.
- 15 Nobel Prize-winning scientists have received AHA funding at some point in their careers.
- The AHA currently supports about 2,294 research projects, representing more than $584 million in research funding.
- The organization says it reaches 22 million people with CPR training annually and has helped 19 million+ patients benefit from improved hypertension care.
And there’s a hopeful side
The AHA reports that cardiovascular deaths have been cut in half since the organization was founded in 1924. Yet heart disease remains the leading cause of death, which illustrates both how much progress has been made and how much work remains.
Are you with me in making a difference? Click the Donate button to support the American Heart Association. Fundraising is open September 17 at 9:00 a.m. through November 4 at 9:00 p.m.