JACC issues inaugural report on state of US cardiovascular health

WASHINGTON (January 12, 2026) — Through its commitment to a data-driven approach to improving cardiovascular health, JACC, the flagship journal of the American College of Cardiology, today published the first JACC Cardiovascular Statistics report. This comprehensive analysis examines five major cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors - hypertension, diabetes, obesity, LDL-cholesterol and cigarette smoking - and the five conditions that collectively account for most CVD deaths and disability in America: coronary heart disease (CHD), acute myocardial infarction (AMI), heart failure (HF), peripheral artery disease (PAD) and stroke.

“JACC Cardiovascular Statistics 2026 reflects one of JACC’s most important responsibilities: to help our community see clearly where we stand,” said Rishi Wadhera, MD, MPP, cardiologist at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Associate Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School and a lead author of the report. “Progress in cardiovascular health has always depended on data—on our willingness to reflect the evidence clearly, to face uncomfortable truths, and to use evidence to guide action.”

For each risk factor and condition, the report draws from nationally representative surveys, administrative claims, clinical registries and vital statistics to present data on disease burden, quality of care and mortality trends.

Key findings on risk factors include:

• Hypertension affects 1 in 2 U.S. adults with little change between 2009 and 2023.
• Diabetes prevalence and mortality are increasing, especially among young adults and low-income populations.
• Obesity has reached epidemic levels, affecting more than 40% of U.S. adults.
• LDL-cholesterol control is falling short. Most high-risk adults fail to meet LDL targets and statin use remains limited, underscoring gaps in implementation.
• Smoking rates have declined nationally but remain twice as high among low-income adults, with e-cigarette use rising among younger adults.

Key findings on conditions include:

• CHD affects over 20.5 million U.S. adults. Rates have risen since 2019, with only 1 in 2 adults receiving optimal medical therapy.
• AMI hospitalizations have declined in the U.S. from 2004 to 2010 but have recently risen for younger adults.
• HF affects about 6.7 million U.S. adults. HF-related mortality rates declined from 1999 to 2011 but have reversed in trajectory with sharp increases during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• PAD affects approximately 1 in 14 U.S. adults. Nearly half of PAD patients undergoing peripheral vascular interventions are discharged without full guideline directed medical therapy.
• Stroke is the fifth leading cause of death in the U.S, accounting for nearly 1 in 20 deaths in 2023. Quality of care has improved over the past two decades, but opportunities for improvement remain.

Persistent disparities by race, geography and socioeconomic status emerged as a central finding across all risk factors and conditions, underscoring urgent gaps in prevention and care. The report also highlights critical gaps where data are incomplete, pointing to opportunities for innovation, policy and discovery.

“If we want a healthier future, we must understand how far we have come, how far we have yet to go and what stands in our way,” said Harlan M. Krumholz, MD, SM, Editor-in-Chief of JACC. “By putting data at the center of JACC’s collective awareness, we aim to help the cardiovascular community, including clinicians, researchers, policymakers and the public, see the landscape clearly and chart a more effective path forward.”

Each edition will provide a benchmark to assess advancement towards better CVD outcomes, greater equity and stronger systems of care. The assessments will identify areas to expand the report’s scope to include additional conditions and international populations.

The report was led by Rishi Wadhera, MD, MPP, and Lesley H. Curtis, PhD, and reflects a multi-institutional collaboration drawing on national surveys, registries and administrative data. It will be part of a JACC print issue in March 2026 that will include a series of complementary JACC Data Reports examining key dimensions of cardiovascular health and health care, including access to care, diet, sleep, physical activity and related behavioral and social factors.

For an embargoed copy of JACC Cardiovascular Statistics 2026, contact JACC Media Relations Manager Olivia Walther at owalther@acc.org.

The American College of Cardiology (ACC) is a global leader dedicated to transforming cardiovascular care and improving heart health for all. For more than 75 years, the ACC has empowered a community of over 60,000 cardiovascular professionals across more than 140 countries with cutting-edge education and advocacy, rigorous professional credentials, and trusted clinical guidance. From its world-class JACC Journals and NCDR registries to its Accreditation Services, global network of Chapters and Sections, and CardioSmart patient initiatives, the College is committed to creating a world where science, knowledge and innovation optimize patient care and outcomes. Learn more at www.ACC.org or connect on social media at @ACCinTouch. 

The ACC’s JACC Journals rank among the top cardiovascular journals in the world for scientific impact. The flagship journal, the Journal of the American College of Cardiology (JACC) — and specialty journals consisting of JACC: Advances, JACC: Asia, JACC: Basic to Translational Science, JACC: CardioOncology, JACC: Cardiovascular Imaging, JACC: Cardiovascular Interventions, JACC: Case Reports, JACC: Clinical Electrophysiology and JACC: Heart Failure — pride themselves on publishing the top peer-reviewed research on all aspects of cardiovascular disease. Learn more at JACC.org.  

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