Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a broad category of diseases affecting approximately half of American adults. Despite progress in treatment and management, CVD still has a large health, mortality, and economic burden. This report to Congress describes CVD and its adverse health outcomes, as well as certain risk factors and prevention and treatment options. It also discusses disparities in disease burden and possible barriers patients may face in accessing optimal treatment and the economic costs of untreated or undertreated CVD. The report includes an original analysis of the prevalence of CVD among Medicare fee-for-service beneficiaries and related health care utilization and costs. The report concludes with a brief overview of some of the many programs and initiatives the Department operates that specifically address CVD.
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