The burden of cardiovascular disease in the elderly: morbidity, mortality, and costs

Abstract

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) in older Americans imposes a huge burden in mortality, morbidity, disability, functional decline, and health care costs. In light of the projected growth of the population of older adults over the next several decades, the societal burden attributable to CVD will continue to rise. There is thus an enormous opportunity to foster successful aging and to increase functional life years through expanded efforts aimed at CVD prevention. This article provides an overview of the epidemiology of CVD in older adults, including an assessment of the impact of CVD on mortality, morbidity, and health care costs.

Figures

Figure 1

Number of Deaths (in thousands) due to Cardiovascular Diseases by Age in 2005 Source: Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics-2009 Update. From NCHS. Available at: www.myamericanheart.org.

Figure 2

Prevalence of Cardiovascular disease in adults aged 20 years and older by age and sex Cardiovascular disease includes coronary heart disease, heart failure, stroke and hypertension. Source: Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics-2009 Update. From NHANES 2005-2006. Available at: www.myamericanheart.org.

Figure 3

Incidence of Cardiovascular disease in adults aged 45 years and older by age and sex Cardiovascular disease includes coronary heart disease, heart failure, and stroke or intracerebral hemorrhage. From NHLBI-FHS: 1980-2003. Source: Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics-2009 Update. Available at: www.myamericanheart.org.

Figure 4

Prevalence of Coronary Heart Disease in adults aged 20 years and older by age and sex Source: Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics-2009 Update. From NHANES: 2005-2006. Available at: www.myamericanheart.org.

Figure 5

10-Year Incidence Rate for Coronary Heart Disease in Caucasians by Age and Gender in the Cardiovascular Health Study Source: Arnold AM, Psaty BM, Kuller LH, et al. J Am Geriatr Soc. Feb 2005;53(2):211-218 [5].

Figure 6

10-Year Incidence Rate for Coronary Heart Disease in African Americans by Age and Gender in the Cardiovascular Health Study Source: Arnold AM, Psaty BM, Kuller LH, et al. J Am Geriatr Soc. Feb 2005;53(2):211-218 [5].

Figure 7

10-Year Incidence Rate for Myocardial Infarction in Caucasians by Age and Gender in the Cardiovascular Health Study Source: Arnold AM, Psaty BM, Kuller LH, et al. J Am Geriatr Soc. Feb 2005;53(2):211-218 [5].

Figure 8

10-Year Incidence Rate for Myocardial Infarction in African Americans by Age and Gender in the Cardiovascular Health Study Source: Arnold AM, Psaty BM, Kuller LH, et al. J Am Geriatr Soc. Feb 2005;53(2):211-218 [5].

Figure 9

10-Year Incidence Rate for Congestive Heart Failure in Caucasians by Age and Gender in the Cardiovascular Health Study Source: Arnold AM, Psaty BM, Kuller LH, et al. J Am Geriatr Soc. Feb 2005;53(2):211-218 [5].

Figure 10

10-Year Incidence Rate for Congestive Heart Failure in African Americans by Age and Gender in the Cardiovascular Health Study Source: Arnold AM, Psaty BM, Kuller LH, et al. J Am Geriatr Soc. Feb 2005;53(2):211-218 [5].

Figure 11

10-Year Incidence Rate for Stroke in Caucasians by Age and Gender in the Cardiovascular Health Study Source: Arnold AM, Psaty BM, Kuller LH, et al. J Am Geriatr Soc. Feb 2005;53(2):211-218 [5].

Figure 12

10-Year Incidence Rate for Stroke in African Americans by Age and Gender in the Cardiovascular Health Study Source: Arnold AM, Psaty BM, Kuller LH, et al. J Am Geriatr Soc. Feb 2005;53(2):211-218 [5].

Figure 13

Estimated Direct and Indirect Costs in Billions of Dollars of Cardiovascular Disease and Stroke Heart Disease category includes coronary heart disease, heart failure, stroke and part of hypertensive disease, cardiac dysrhythmias, rheumatic heart disease, cardiomyopathy, pulmonary heart disease, and other or ill-defined “heart” disease. Source: Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics-2009 Update. Available at: www.myamericanheart.org.