Doctors at Essentia Health say heart disease rates are rising after decades of decline, with obesity and diabetes driving the increase. They tell us that the initial decrease was because of less people smoking and better car for blood pressure issues. Cardiologist Catherine Benziger said it is important to know your risk factors for heart disease. “The thing that really surprised me is how much obesity and diabetes is really contributing to the rise in cardiovascular disease. Benziger also said everyone should see a doctor regularly starting in their 30s to get their risk factors assessed.