• Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in the United States, accounting for more deaths than cancer, accidents and diabetes combined. 1
  • Heart disease in America accounts for 2,400 deaths per day. That’s an average of one death every 37 seconds. 1
  • It is estimated that 80 million Americans adults have some type of cardiovascular disease. 1
  • Each year over half a million Americans die from a heart attack. 1
  • Life expectancy would go up by almost seven years if cardiovascular disease were eliminated.1
  • A heart attack occurs when the blood flow to a part of the heart is blocked by a blood clot.
  • Once the heart muscle dies the damage is permanent. Disability or death can occur, depending on the level of damage.
  • Physical inactivity increases the risk of developing heart disease by 1.5 times.2
  • Eating more than five servings of fruit and vegetables each day has been shown to reduce your risk for heart disease by 17%.3
  • A universal reduction of 3 grams of salt a day would lead to a 22% drop in the number of deaths from heart disease.4
  • Smokers have a 70% higher risk of death from coronary heart disease than non-smokers. If you quit, your risk of coronary heart disease is substantially reduced within two years.5
  • Non-smokers living with smokers have an estimated 25% higher risk of dying from a heart attack and suffering a stroke.1
  • Aspirin has been proven to reduce the risk of a second heart attack by 30%.


  1. American Heart Association, Heart Disease & Stroke Statistics, 2009 Update
  2. American Heart Association, Physical Activity, http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=4563
  3. He I FJ, Nowson CA, et al. Increased Consumption of Fruit and Vegetables is related to a Reduced Risk of Coronary Heart Disease: Meta-analysis of Cohort Studies. Journal of Human Hypertension 2007; 21: 717-28.
  4. Joint WHO/FAO Expert Consultation. WHO Technical Report Series 916: Diet, Nutrition and the Prevention of Chronic Diseases. 2003. WHO. Geneva, 2003.
  5. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Women and Smoking: A Report of the Surgeon General. Atlanta,Ga. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, CDC, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Office on Smoking and Health. 2001
about aspirin

An aspirin regimen, under a doctor’s care, is an easy, cost-effective way to lower the risk of a recurrent heart attack. A heart attack occurs when the blood flow to the heart is blocked, often by a blood clot, and aspirin works to help prevent clots.

More About Aspirin
the facts

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in the United States, accounting for more deaths than cancer, accidents and diabetes combined.

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