The personal and economic burden of heart disease is staggering

• 650,000 people will have a coronary attack this year
• 450,000 more will have a recurrent attack (ARIC, 1987-94, NHLBI)

The price tag is high

One patient. One heart attack. One short hospital stay. Costs exceed $10,000. (AHA Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics - 2003 Update)

The number of people at risk for heart attack is on the rise

An alarming increase in risk factors in younger generations will continue to fuel the cardiovascular epidemic for years to come
(AHA Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics - 2003 Update)

The aging population will undoubtedly result in an increased incidence of chronic disease including coronary artery disease, heart failure and stroke (Circulation 2002, 106:1602-5)

From 1979 to 2000, the number of Americans with coronary heart disease discharged after short-stay hospital visits increased 17% (AHA Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics - 2003 Update)

In 2000, cardiovascular disease accounted for 65,843,000 physician office visits, 6,854,000 outpatient department visits, and 4,397,000 emergency room visits (National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey, 2000, CDC/NCHS)

The financial burden of heart attack is enormous. and on the rise

Direct and Indirect Costs of Heart Disease

• 1999: Estimated costs of coronary heart disease and stroke were $145 billion

Reference: AHA Heart Disease and Stroke - 1999 and 2003 Update Direct and Indirect Costs of Heart Disease

Health Care Costs Associated with Heart Disease

1998: $10.6 billion was paid to Medicare beneficiaries for coronary heart disease (Health Care Financing Review, Statistical Supplement, 2000, CMS)

1999: $26.3 billion in payments were made to Medicare beneficiaries for hospital expenses due to cardiovascular disease (AHA Heart Disease and Stroke - 2003 Update)

The social and economic impact is magnified after a first heart attack

Preventing the Incidence of Heart Attack will Reduce its Economic Impact.

• People who survive a first heart attack have a 1.5-15 times higher chance of illness or death than the general population
  (FHS, NHLBI)
• Approximately 2/3 of heart attack patients do not make a complete recovery
  (FHS, NHLBI)
• Coronary heart disease is the leading cause of premature, permanent disability in the US labor force
  (FHS, NHLBI)
• 19% of disability allowances by the Social Security Administration are for coronary heart disease
  (FHS, NHLBI)

The Cost of Heart Disease is Greater Than any Other Disease. (AHA "Leaders Testify on Hill" June 2002)

The social and economic burden of heart attack can be reduced through preventive measures

Preventive Measures Save Lives. and Reduce Costs

• More than 50% of deaths and disability from heart disease and stroke can be avoided by a combination of simple, cost-effective strategies to reduce the major risk factors (WHO Briefing INB5, Oct. 2002)
• The most immediate improvements in cardiovascular health can be achieved with drugs, including aspirin, given to people at elevated risk of heart attack and stroke (WHO Briefing INB5, Oct. 2002)
• Aspirin therapy can reduce the risk of a first heart attack by 32% and the combined risk of heart attack, stroke and vascular death by 15% (Eidelman, 2002; abstract presented at AHA Scientific Sessions)
• Reducing the risk of heart attack with aspirin therapy saves lives. Over half of men and women under age 65 who have a heart attack die within 8 years. 80% of cardiovascular heart disease mortality in people under age 65 occurs during first attack (FHS, NHBLI)

Aspirin: Cost Effective Preventive Therapy

Aspirin has been shown to be a highly cost-effective therapy for primary prevention patients, aged 30-80 with a 10-year risk of cardiovascular events at 10% or higher

For only pennies a day...

...Aspirin therapy can prevent heart attacks

...And save thousands of dollars for each heart attack prevented

Aspirin Saves Lives and Money