Over the past 50 years, the landscape of heart disease has changed dramatically, and largely for the better. According to a new report from the American Heart Association, overall death rates from heart disease have dropped by 66%, and deaths from heart attacks specifically have declined by nearly 90%.

These numbers reflect decades of progress in preventive care, early intervention, and innovations in treatment to help people live longer.

While fewer people are dying from heart attacks, the types of heart disease affecting patients, and leading to death, are shifting.

From Heart Attacks to Heart Failure, Arrhythmias, and Hypertensive Heart Disease

Today, the most common causes of death related to heart disease are no longer heart attacks. Instead, there’s been an increase in deaths from heart failure, arrhythmias, and hypertensive heart disease.

Patients are surviving initial cardiac events more often thanks to improved treatment and diagnosis, and many go on to live with chronic heart conditions that require long-term management and care from a multidisciplinary team of healthcare providers.

Surgical Expertise for Heart Disease

At Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgeons (CTVS), we’re at the forefront of this evolving field. Our dedicated team of cardiothoracic surgeons provide advanced surgical treatment for patients managing complex heart conditions.

We offer a comprehensive approach to treating heart failure, arrhythmias and conditions resulting from hypertensive heart disease such as aortic aneurysms.

Some of the procedures and technologies we offer include:

We are proud to offer cutting-edge procedures and a collaborative care approach that prioritizes both quality of life and long-term outcomes.

Prevention Is Still the Best Medicine

While surgical innovations and chronic disease management are necessary for those with heart disease, prevention remains the most effective strategy. Our experts recommend lifestyle changes like eating a heart-healthy diet, getting regular physical activity, managing blood pressure and cholesterol, maintaining a healthy weight, quitting smoking, and prioritizing quality sleep to protect your heart for the long haul. These daily habits can significantly reduce the risk of developing heart conditions and improve overall heart health.

For questions about our thoracic, cardiac, or vascular services, visit ctvstexas.com or call us at (512) 459-8753 to schedule an appointment.

Don’t forget to follow us on Facebook and Instagram and check our blog for regular updates.