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A Cleveland Clinic survey finds 41% of Americans have experienced at least one heart-related issue since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic in early 2020, with top issues including shortness of breath (18%), dizziness (15%), increased blood pressure (15%) and chest pain (13%). In addition, about one in four Americans (27%) who have tested positive for COVID-19 report that their diagnosis has impacted their heart health.

As the world nears the two-year anniversary of the pandemic, Americans are facing consequences to their health habits that may have a negative effect on their heart health. According to the survey, sitting throughout the day is on the rise (+5 points in percentage of Americans who say they often do this) while walking throughout the day has declined (-4 points in percentage of Americans who say they often do this). Americans now say that they often or sometimes sit throughout the day (77%).

The survey also found that few Americans (22%) know that the Mediterranean diet is heart healthy, and about half of Americans (51%) do not currently follow a specific diet plan.

“COVID fatigue is a very real thing – and for this year’s survey we wanted to see what kind of effect the ongoing pandemic is having on Americans’ heart health and in particular their healthy habits,” said Samir Kapadia, M.D., chairman of Cardiovascular Medicine at Cleveland Clinic. “We know 90% of heart disease is preventable through a healthier diet, regular exercise, and not smoking, so now is the time to refocus on our heart health.”

When it comes to genetics, 40% of those who have lost a family member to heart disease before the age of 60 have never been screened for the condition they lost a family member to, which jumps to 54% among millennials. Additionally, 34% of Americans feel that if they have a family history of heart disease, there is nothing they can do to limit the risk of developing that heart condition; however, physicians believe that early screening and treatment can save lives.

Finally, about one-third of Americans don’t know that the following factors can increase your risk of developing heart disease:

• Stress (33%)
• High Blood pressure (35%)
• Obesity (39%)
• Smoking/vaping (41%)

A positive survey result was that many Americans (77%) are familiar with their family history of heart disease and roughly two-thirds (65%) say they have had their blood pressure checked within the last six months.

The survey was conducted as part of Cleveland Clinic Heart, Vascular and Thoracic Institute’s “Love your Heart” consumer education campaign in celebration of American Heart Month. Cleveland Clinic has been ranked the No. 1 hospital in the country for cardiology and cardiac surgery for 27 years in a row by U.S. News & World Report.

For more information, go to: clevelandclinic.org/loveyourheart

 METHODOLOGY

Findings of an online survey conducted among a national sample consisting of 1,000 general population Americans, 18 years of age and older, living in the continental United States.

The total general population sample data was weighted to be nationally representative based on age, gender, ethnicity, region, urban vs. rural, household income and educational attainment census data. The online survey was conducted by Lucid and completed between November 8th and November 26th. The margin of error for the total sample at the 95% confidence level is +/- 3 percentage points.

KEY FINDINGS

Feeling disconnected and worrying about the health of loved ones during the pandemic has had a profound impact on stress levels.

• 65% of Americans report experiencing more stress due to the pandemic.
  • Increased stress levels due to the pandemic is significantly higher among those under 57 (Adult Gen Z-Gen X: 69%) compared to those over 57 (Boomers: 53%), as well as those who have a family member who has passed away from heart disease (75% vs. 65% average) and Black Americans (71% vs. 65% average).

• Of those who reported feeling more stressed, top reasons why include:
  • Concern of loved ones getting sick is contributing to increased stress levels (56%)
  • Feeling disconnected from loved ones is also contributing to increased stress levels (51%).

Millennials’ stressors during the pandemic are particularly unique as they balance young children at home.

• Millennials are more likely than the average American to say that the pandemic has made them “much more stressed” (30% vs 24% of average Americans).

• The stress levels of Millennials, the generation most likely to have young children at home, are more likely to be caused by:
  • Increase in house chores due to being in the house more (38% vs. 30% average)
  • Concern over job security (33% vs. 25% average)
  • Dealing with new challenges to healthcare (28% vs. 17% average)

• Millennials are also significantly more likely than the average American to report that increased responsibilities at home as a result of the pandemic means I have less time to maintain an exercise regimen (32% vs. 22% average consumer).

The pandemic hasn’t just impacted mental health – it has led to worsening physical health habits as well, including diet and exercise.

• Sitting throughout the day is on the rise while walking throughout the day has declined.
• 77% of Americans say that they often or sometimes sit throughout the day now.