Research is the starting point for all medical progress.
Finding ways to prevent, treat and cure heart disease, stroke and other forms of cardiovascular disease depend on medical research. But despite major advances in treatment, there is still no cure for this country's No. 1 killer and major cause of permanent disability.
Heart disease and stroke still afflict our families and friends in epidemic proportions. As the baby boomers age, the number of Americans suffering from these devastating diseases will increase substantially.
Heart disease, stroke and other forms of cardiovascular disease remain the No. 1 killer of Americans and a major cause of permanent disability.
- Heart disease, alone, is America's No. 1 killer
- Stroke is the No. 3 killer
- Nearly 1 in 3 adults in the United States suffers from one or more cardiovascular disease
- These diseases are major causes of permanent disability
- Cardiovascular disease will cost the United States an estimated $475 billion in medical expenses and lost productivity in 2009- more than any other disease
Despite the enormous costs and burden these diseases place on our country, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) continues to invest just 4 percent of its budget on heart disease research, and a mere 1 percent of its budget on stroke research.
Research
Research has demonstrated that avoiding key risk factors and receiving early diagnosis and appropriate treatment can prevent a significant portion of death and disability caused by heart disease, stroke and other cardiovascular diseases.
NIH research provides cutting-edge treatment and prevention strategies.
Some exciting recent heart disease and stroke news:
- Obesity is a strong and independent risk factor for heart failure
- Robotically assisted cardiac surgery successfully corrects heart defects
- There are links between people carrying specific genes and their risk for certain types of stroke
Stories of Research
Lindsay Siegle
Newark, DE
Lindsay Siegle is living proof that heart disease can affect women of any age. At one-day old, she made medical history, becoming the youngest recipient of a pacemaker.
Read more.
Robert Scott
Woonsocket, RI
Robert A. Scott is the National Advocacy Chairman for Mended Hearts Inc. and a walking testimony of the benefits of NIH-supported heart research. At the age of 48, Robert suffered his first heart attack while playing volleyball.
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Elizabeth Greene
Greenfield, WI
I was seven months pregnant with twins when I had my heart attack. Fortunately, I was already at a hospital that had a very good cardiac unit.
Read more.
Tom Maynor
Meridian, MS
I experienced a stroke at age 53, following carotid endarterectomy surgery.
Read more.
Stephanie Dempsey
Varnville, SC
At the age of 30, Stephanie had quadruple bypass surgery for severely blocked arteries from a form of high cholesterol due to a genetic defect in her body.
Read more.
Scotty Sagum
Waimea, HI
I was a triathlete and ignored stroke risk factors I’d had most of my life - until I had a stroke at age 41.
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April Gottung
Aprin, WI
April Gottung, of Aprin, Wisconsin, was diagnosed with long QT syndrome at the age of 14 after falling to the floor and suffering a seizure while answering the phone.
Read more.
Ray Driscoll
Melrose, MA
I didn’t smoke, have high blood pressure, or high cholesterol. But, out of the blue, I had a stroke.
Read more.
Contact your elected leaders and urge them to save lives by investing in NIH-supported heart and stroke research.
