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Ohio World Heart Day: Nearly 30,000 Heart Disease Deaths Reported in 2023
Columbus, OH – Ohio health officials are using World Heart Day Tuesday to warn residents about the continuing impact of heart disease, which remains the leading cause of death in both Ohio and the Uni
By Jordan Mercer · 2026-09-29T14:14:27.546Z
Columbus, OH – Ohio health officials are using World Heart Day Tuesday to warn residents about the continuing impact of heart disease, which remains the leading cause of death in both Ohio and the United States.
According to the Ohio Department of Health , approximately 750,000 Ohio adults were living with heart disease in 2024 , while heart disease killed nearly 30,000 Ohioans in 2023 .
State health data show Ohio's age adjusted heart disease death rate was 191.6 deaths per 100,000 people in 2023 , about 18% higher than the national rate. Ohio also had the 12th highest heart disease death rate in the country that year, according to the department.
Heart disease includes several conditions, including coronary heart disease, heart attack and heart failure. Officials said most adults have at least one risk factor for developing the disease.
Major risks include high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, tobacco use, obesity, poor diet and a lack of physical activity. The department reported that Ohio adults who smoke were 48% more likely to have heart disease than nonsmokers, based on 2024 data.
Health officials say prevention can include maintaining a healthy diet, staying physically active, avoiding tobacco products and receiving regular health screenings. Residents already diagnosed with high blood pressure, high cholesterol or other chronic conditions are encouraged to work with health care providers on treatment and medication plans.
The department also noted that an estimated one in three people with high blood pressure do not know their blood pressure is elevated , potentially leaving an important heart disease risk untreated.
Officials are encouraging Ohio residents to discuss their individual risk factors with a health care provider and develop a prevention plan appropriate for their health needs.