NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WOKI/WVLT)— Tennessee has one of the highest heart disease death rates in the country, according to a new data analysis.
Research using the latest data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows Tennessee ranks sixth nationwide, with about 210 deaths per 100,000 people attributed to heart disease.
Only a handful of states, including Oklahoma, Mississippi, and Alabama, report higher mortality rates. In fact, the eight states with the worst outcomes are all located in the Southern U.S.
Health experts say the disparity highlights an urgent need for intervention. Researchers point to a combination of factors contributing to higher rates in the region, including obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, poor cholesterol levels, and limited access to healthcare.
Some studies also suggest socioeconomic factors, like lower household income, may affect access to preventive care, medications, and regular doctor visits.
Heart disease remains the leading cause of death in the United States overall. The CDC reports nearly one in three deaths in 2023 were linked to cardiovascular disease, with a life lost approximately every 34 seconds.
Doctors say many cases can be prevented through lifestyle changes such as maintaining a healthy diet, staying active, avoiding smoking, and managing conditions like high blood pressure, cholesterol, and diabetes.
