From 2000 to 2010, deaths attributed to cardiovascular diseases (CVD) declined significantly; however, one out of every three adult deaths in the United States is still accounted for by CVD. Heart disease and stroke are the first and fourth leading causes of death, respectively, for adult Americans. Subsequently, the Healthy People 2020 overall goal for heart disease and stroke is to improve cardiovascular health and quality of life through prevention, detection, and treatment of risk factors for heart attack and stroke; early identification and treatment of heart attacks and strokes; and prevention of repeat cardiovascular events. A 2011 policy statement from the American Heart Association (AHA) estimated that CVD will account for more than $800 billion in annual healthcare-related expenditures by the year 2030. Disparities in CVD have been reported for gender, race/ethnicity, socioeconomic status, and rural/urban residence.
