New reports indicate a rise in heart failure cases and deaths among adults under 65, driven by earlier onset of cardiovascular risk factors.
Key facts
- •An estimated 56 million people were living with heart failure globally in 2023.
- •Heart failure accounted for 452,573 deaths in the United States in 2023, or approximately 14.6% of all deaths that year.
- •The number of U.S. adults living with heart failure is projected to reach 11.4 million by 2050.
- •Age-adjusted heart failure mortality rates in the U.S. rose by about 37% between 2010 and 2023.
- •Common risk factors for heart failure include high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity, and sleep apnea.
Heart failure hospitalization and mortality rates are increasing among adults under 65, according to recent data. While the global burden of the condition has grown significantly since 1990 due to population growth and aging, researchers are noting a shift in the age demographic of those affected in the United States.
By the numbers
Rising Trends in Younger Populations
Data from the Heart Failure Society of America (HFSA) indicates that heart failure contributed to over 450,000 deaths in the U.S. in 2023, with mortality rates showing sharp increases among those under 65. Between 2001 and 2020, mortality rates for heart failure more than doubled for adults aged 25 to 44 and nearly doubled for those aged 45 to 64. Furthermore, hospitalization rates for this younger demographic rose between 2010 and 2022, even as rates declined for those 65 and older.
Contributing Factors and Prevention
Medical experts suggest that cardiovascular risk factors such as obesity, diabetes, hypertension, and sleep apnea are appearing earlier in life, leading to heart failure at younger ages. While causes vary by region and age—with congenital heart issues and rheumatic heart disease being more common in younger groups—managing these risk factors remains a primary prevention strategy. Experts emphasize that early detection and treatment, including maintaining a healthy weight and regular medical checkups, can help manage or potentially reverse the condition.
Global and Future Projections
A Global Burden of Disease analysis published in JAMA Cardiology estimated that 56 million people worldwide were living with heart failure in 2023, more than double the 1990 figure. In the United States, the number of adults living with the condition is projected to grow from 7.7 million in 2023 to 11.4 million by 2050. Age-adjusted mortality rates in the U.S. increased by approximately 37% between 2010 and 2023, reversing over a decade of previous progress.
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This article was independently rewritten by ManyPress editorial AI from reporting originally published by Healthline.
