If a new risk equation is adopted, Statins for heart disease prevention could be recommended less often

About 61% of adults will have cardiovascular disease by 2050, new research from the American Heart Association predicts. The biggest driver of this trend will be the large number of people who have or will develop high blood pressure, which makes them much more likely to have a heart attack or stroke.

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death and disability in the United States — and new projections show it may become even more common in the next 30 years, according to the American Heart Association.

At least 6 in 10 U.S. adults (61%) are expected to have some type of CVD within the next 30 years. Disease prevalence will have a $1.8 trillion price tag in direct and indirect costs. At least 184 million people expected to be affected by CVD.

Study examines potential impact of widespread adoption of the PREVENT equations. The new risk equation was released by the American Heart Association in November 2023 to update physicians' go-to calculators for assessing patients' 10-year risk of heart attack or stroke. About 40% fewer people could meet criteria for cholesterol-lowering statins to prevent heart disease.