Do You Know the Leading Causes of Death in the U.S.?

As we roll into the final weeks of January and people are starting to quit their New Year’s resolutions, a report from the American Heart Association might encourage you move more and be mindful about what you eat.

Heart disease and stroke remain the leading causes of death for people in the U.S., according to the 2026 Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics: A Report of U.S. and Global Data From the American Heart Association. The numbers are on the decline, which is good news, but we’ve got a way to go to improve heart health, according to the AHA.

“The good news is that, overall, fewer people are dying from these diseases, and death rates are improving as life expectancy continues to rebound after the COVID‑19 pandemic,” said American Heart Association volunteer chair of the statistics update writing committee Latha P. Palaniappan, M.D., M.S., FAHA, a professor of cardiovascular medicine at Stanford University in Palo Alto, California.

High blood pressure, diabetes, and obesity are three drivers of cardiovascular disease in adults.

Get Heart Healthy

Cardiologists recommend increasing fiber in your diet to support heart health and digestion, suggesting snacking on things like berries, nuts, or fresh-cut carrots and cucumbers with a healthy dip like hummus.

Diseases like diabetes and obesity may be preventable in some cases, and now with the advent of glucose monitors and GLP-1 medications, people have more options to monitor their blood sugar and follow a weight-loss program.

Exercise is crucial in keeping your heart healthy. The CDC recommends at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity per week. If you’re new or returning to exercise, that breaks down to a 20-minute walk each day. Whatever you do, make sure it’s something you enjoy. If you like lifting weights, train a few times per week and add cardio, like pickleball in the mix.