More than half of Americans don’t know that heart disease is the nation’s leading cause of death, according to a new survey released by the American Heart Association (AHA).

The survey, conducted by Harris Poll on behalf of the AHA, found that 51% of respondents incorrectly recognized heart disease as the leading cause of death in the United States. 18% cited cancer as the leading cause of death, and 16% were unsure.

The findings complement the AHA’s latest statistics on heart disease and stroke published in the journal. Circulation In January.

Heart disease refers to several conditions related to the heart. Most heart patients in the United States have coronary artery disease, which occurs when plaque builds up on the walls of the arteries that carry blood to the heart. Over time, clogged arteries can restrict blood flow and cause heart attacks, irregular heartbeats, and heart failure.

Although death rates from heart disease have declined since 1950, heart disease has remained the leading cause of death in the United States for more than 100 years, since 1921. Nearly 1 million people die from cardiovascular disease each year in the United States.

“This finding that most people are unaware of the serious consequences of heart disease is discouraging and even a little frightening,” American Heart Association President Joseph C. Wu, M.D., said in a press release. Stated.

Mr. Wu said. health Heart disease is such an elusive disease that it may not come to mind as a top cause of death.

“Heart disease occurs throughout the lifespan,” says Wu, director of the Stanford Heart and Vascular Institute and the Simon H. Stelzer Professor of Medicine and Radiology at Stanford University School of Medicine. “Most risk factors have no symptoms, so many people may not even know they have heart disease.”

In fact, the AHA found that of the 47% of Americans with high blood pressure, a major risk factor for heart disease, only 62% know they have high blood pressure.

Misconceptions about heart disease can also prevent people from recognizing the risks of heart disease. The AHA lists the top 10 myths about cardiovascular disease, from “diabetes doesn’t harm your heart if you take your medication” to “you don’t need to get your cholesterol tested until middle age.” A 2023 study found that young adults believe they should not develop heart disease, despite an increase in heart attacks among people under 40 in recent years.

Wu believes society as a whole needs to do more to address the risk factors and lifestyle behaviors that lead to heart disease. “Connecting these dots is an important step in raising awareness about the deadly effects of heart disease,” he said.

He points out that more than 70% of American adults are obese, even though obesity is a leading cause of heart disease. Similarly, even though smoking can also affect heart health, “more than 11% of adults and 16% of high school students still smoke daily.”

Jessica Holzman, M.D., a cardiovascular disease researcher at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), said educating people starts by making health care less “time-consuming, expensive, and intimidating.” health.

Holzman said social media campaigns and tools like text message prompts and activity trackers can make heart health information more accessible. “Screening tests in non-traditional locations other than hospitals and clinics, such as barbershops and churches, have shown promise in detecting cardiovascular disease,” she added.

Holzman said it’s important to impact groups that are disproportionately at risk for heart disease, such as black and Hispanic adults. “Social determinants of health, such as socioeconomic status, gender, work environment, race/ethnicity, and place of birth, influence heart health status,” she said. “It’s important to address the factors that contribute to structural racism.”

Experts emphasize the importance of regular health checkups to maintain heart health.

Holzman suggests talking to your health care provider about which ones make sense for you based on your situation. “Patients can work with their doctors to create a customized plan that prioritizes cardiometabolic health,” she said.

Adults at normal risk for heart disease should have their cholesterol tested every four to six years and discuss smoking, physical activity and diet at every regular doctor’s visit, according to the AHA. Your weight and blood pressure should also be checked during your visit.

If you don’t have access to a doctor, Wu advises purchasing a home blood pressure monitor and tracking your blood pressure values ​​over time to identify any worrying trends.

In addition to regular check-ups, making healthy choices can help prevent heart disease, Holtzman said. She recommends a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, protein, and legumes, and 20 to 30 minutes of moderate physical activity on most days. To stay motivated, try working out with her friends or using an activity tracker, she said.