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Remember
the race to put a man on the moon? From the day President
Kennedy proclaimed it as a national goal until the moment
Neil Armstrong made the first footprint in the lunar
dust, our nation pulled together to make it happen.
That tale of determination, hard work, and achievement
has become part of our national identity. 
The
struggle against heart disease—the nation's most
prevalent killer—is a similar tale, one of combined
efforts and considerable successes. Some have called
the battle to conquer heart disease the most important
medical story in the second half of the 20th century.
When
the American College of Cardiology (ACC) was formed
in 1949, the nation was beginning to see a flood of
new discoveries in cardiovascular medicine, a specialty
that studies and treats the heart and blood vessels.
Cardiologists were hungry for the latest information
on heart disease so they could help their heart patients
more effectively. The ACC’s goal in 1949 was to provide
continuing medical education for these professionals.
That goal remains unchanged today.
The
past half-century has brought a greater understanding
of what causes diseases of the cardiovascular system.
This knowledge allows cardiovascular specialists to
develop vastly improved means of treating—even
curing in some instances—these serious conditions.
At the close of the 20th century, the number of cardiovascular
specialists has risen dramatically. These doctors bring
breakthroughs in research to their patients while caring
for them throughout the course of their illnesses.
Because
of the work of these specialists, their increased numbers,
and the improved understanding of cardiovascular disease
made possible through research, the
death rate from heart disease has dropped by half,
and the onset of heart disease has been pushed back
by 15 to 20 years. Today, thanks to improved treatments,
most patients with heart disease can live normal, or
near-normal, lives.
Most
Americans know that they can substantially reduce their
risk of heart disease by eating right, exercising effectively,
and not smoking. Public education efforts have raised
everyone’s awareness about this national killer. Still,
much remains to be done. Too many Americans ignore the
risks for heart disease. As the Baby Boomer generation
ages, heart disease will continue to dominate our health
care concerns.
The
American College of Cardiology celebrates the achievements
made so far that have significantly improved the quality
of life for all Americans. We hope that illustrating
the progress made in prevention and treatment of patients
with heart disease will inspire every reader—patients,
doctors, and other medical professionals—to continue
the good work for future generations.
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Graph
01.National
Center for Health Statistics. National Vital Statistics
Reports. 1967-1995 United States Department of Health
and Human Services. Morlyman et al. Cardiovascular
Diseases in the United States. Cambridge, MA: Harvard
University Press; 1971 |
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