Trends in Cardiovascular Health Metrics and Associations With All-Cause and CVD Mortality Among US Adults

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Abstract
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of deaths in the United States (>800 000, or about 1 in 3 overall deaths/y),1 with estimated annual direct and overall costs of $273 billion and $444 billion, respectively.2 Previous epidemiologic studies indicate that individuals who meet an increased number of cardiovascular health behaviors or factors (such as not smoking and achieving normal blood pressure, blood glucose level, and weight) have a significantly reduced risk of CVD incidence and mortality.3-9 Achieving and maintaining cardiovascular health behaviors and factors in individuals and communities could have significant effects on reducing CVD incidence and mortality at the population level.