• Posted February 25, 2025

Most Americans Don’t Know These Heart Disease Risks, Survey Shows

Many Americans don't realize how everyday habits and overlooked health issues can increase their risk for heart disease, according to a new Cleveland Clinic survey.

The nationwide survey found numerous gaps in heart health knowledge. For example: 

• 40% of repondents didn't know that using tobacco harms heart health.

• 62% were unaware that air pollution can affect the heart.

• 90% didn’t know that certain vitamins and supplements could also impact heart health.

"Many of us think about vitamins or supplements over the counter as natural. And some may even consider them preferable alternatives to prescription medications, but research doesn't back that up," the Cleveland Clinic's Dr. Ashish Sarraju told CBS News.

Another underestimated risk is sleep deprivation.

"[Sleep deprivation] has this cascading effect on the rest of your lifestyle. It can affect dietary patterns. It can affect exercise patterns. It can be a sign of undiagnosed sleep apnea," Sarraju said. 

While some risk factors are genetic, others can be managed with simple lifestyle changes. These include:

• Tobacco use

• High blood pressure

• High cholesterol

• Diabetes

• Being overweight or obese

• Physical inactivity

In all, 3 in 5 Americans admitted to skipping their prescribed heart medications, a decision that can be very dangerous. 

Common reasons cited included simply forgot (59%); feeling depressed or experiencing mental health issues (17%); feeling healthy (16%); not liking being on so many medications (15%); medication was too costly (11%).

"Repeatedly skipping heart medications, such as those used for blood pressure or cholesterol management, may not produce immediate symptoms," Dr. Samir Kapadia, chairman of cardiovascular medicine at Cleveland Clinic, said in a news release. "However, not taking prescribed medication correctly can have serious long-term consequences on heart health."

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the U.S., according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and could become even more common in the future.

A 2024 report from the American Heart Association (AHA) projects that by 2050, more than 6 in 10 adults (61%) will have some form of cardiovascular disease (CVD). This increase owes largely to rising rates of high blood pressure. 

The new survey was conducted online Oct. 18-29 among a national sample of 1,000 Americans age 18 and up. The margin of error is plus or minus 3 percentage points.

More information

The American Heart Association has more on cardiovascular disease.

SOURCES: Cleveland Clinic, survey, Feb. 4, 2025; CBS News, media report, Feb. 24, 2025