Silver Book Fact
A study exploring the decline in deaths attributable to cardiovascular disease in the U.S. from 1980 to 2000 suggested that approximately 47% of the decrease was due to the increased use of evidence-based medical therapies. 44% was due to changes in the risk factors of the population attributable to lifestyle and environmental changes.
Ford E, Ajani U, Croft J, Critchely J, et al. Explaining the Decrease in US Deaths from Coronary Disease, 1980-2000. N Engl J Med. 2007; 356: 2388-98. http://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMsa053935