The nation's number one health concern, heart disease, is largely on the decline among Americans, according to the latest figures from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Overall, the CDC data shows approximately 6 percent of adults in the U.S. had heart disease in 2010—a slight dip from the 6.7 percent in 2006. The rate of coronary problems among adult women was 4.6 percent—significantly less that the 7.8 percent rate among men in 2010.

Researchers believe better medical and drug treatments for high blood pressure and high cholesterol, as well as declines in smoking trends may be factors in the drop in heart disease among Americans. Still, not all the news from the latest CDC data is heartwarming.

Although white and Hispanic Americans show drops—from 6.4 to 5.8 percent and 6.9 to 6.1 percent, respectively—in heart disease rates from 2006 to 2010, rates among other ethnicities are still high. Among black adults, the rate of heart disease rose slightly to 6.5 percent while among Native Americans and Alaskan Natives it's 11.6 percent—nearly twice the national average.

Bottom line: Consumer Reports health experts have looked at how cardiac care has become big business for the medical industry. Check out the report, which also details the Best ways to protect your heart and to find out which heart care tests you need to discuss with your health care professional

Sources
Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report: Prevalence of Coronary Heart Disease --- United States, 2006--2010 [CDC]
U.S. heart disease rates continue to fall [USA Today]