Cardiodiabesity is a term used to describe the relationship between cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and obesity, three of the biggest health problems in the United States.
To better understand the prevalence of cardiodiabesity and its impact on the U.S. health care system, we scoured the web for the following 10 key statistics. These data points demonstrate that the state of American health is complex – and that interventions proven to prevent and control cardiodiabesity are of utmost importance today and going forward.
1. Prevalence of obesity
50% of U.S. adults are projected to be obese by 2030. (Source: National Library of Medicine)
2. Diabetes is a growing concern
The number of people with diabetes will increase by 39.3% by 2060. (Source: National Library of Medicine)
3. Relationship between diabetes and obesity
Type 2 diabetes, which is associated with obesity, accounts for 90% to 95% of diagnosed diabetes cases in adults. (Source: National Library of Medicine)
4. Economic costs of cardiodiabesity
Research estimates the combined cost of diabetes, obesity, and cardiovascular disease is $719 billion annually. (Source: Evernorth Health Services)
5. Relationship between diabetes and cardiovascular disease
People with diabetes are twice as likely to have heart disease or experience a stroke than people without diabetes. (Source: American Diabetes Association)
6. Cardiodiabesity progession
While diabetes, obesity, and cardiovascular disease each can cause health issues on their own, the combination of all three increases the chances for more severe problems. One analysis found staggering rates of progression: 27.4% of patients with risk factors for cardiodiabesity and 88.4% of patients in the active cardiodiabesity state saw their health worsen within one year.
(Source: Evernorth Research Institute)
7. Cost of care
Care costs grow as patients progress from one disease phase of cardiodiabesity to the next. Average total annual health care costs for early-stage patients (with risk factors) who progressed to active cardiodiabesity within one year increased by 155%, more than three times the average 42% cost increase for patients who did not progress. Among patients with active cardiodiabesity, average annual total cost of care rose 42% for those who progressed to the advanced stage and remained flat for those who did not progress. (Source: Evernorth Research Institute)
8. Impact of weight loss
Losing a higher percentage of weight corresponds to greater cardiovascular benefits. Just a 5% loss in weight can help reduce hypertension and hyperglycemia. A 5% to 10% loss improves lipids and can halt diabetes. Losing 10% to 15% reduces cardiac events, and weight loss exceeding 15% reduces cardiovascular mortality. (Source: Rethink Obesity)
9. Healthy habits
Regular physical activity helps prevent obesity, cardiovascular disease, and type 2 diabetes. However, just 46.9% of U.S. adults meet the Physical Activity Guidelines for aerobic physical activity. (Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
10. Comorbidities
Sleep apnea is a common comorbidity among patients with cardiodiabesity – 13.3% have a confirmed diagnosis or are receiving treatment. In addition to worsened medical outcomes for these patients, their average medical costs are $6,185 higher than for those without sleep apnea. (Source: Evernorth Research Institute)
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This article was created with the assistance of AI tools. It was reviewed, edited, and fact-checked by Cigna Healthcare's editorial team and subject matter experts.
