State Declines in Heart Disease Mortality in the United States, 2000-2019

Heart disease was the leading cause of death nationally in 2019, consistent with historical patterns since 1921 (1,2). Age-adjusted death rates for heart disease have shown a steady decline since the mid-1960s, and death rates, as well as changes in rates, vary by state. This report examines changes in heart disease death rates from 2000 through 2019 for the United States and for each state and the District of Columbia (D.C.).