Facts And Statistics on Heart Disease

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the US. It is caused by narrowing of the coronary arteries, secondary to build up of plaque in the arteries, which leads to blockage. More women than men die from it, and it is more prevalent in the African American population. Age and Genetics are also contributing factors. If your parents, grandparents, or siblings have heart disease, your risk factors are increased. Below are some eye-opening facts and statistics concerning heart disease as reported by the Centers For Disease Control And Prevention (CDC).

In 2005, 652,091 people died of heart disease (50.5% of them women). This was 27.1% of all U.S. deaths. The age-adjusted death rate was 222 per 100,000 population.

Heart disease is the leading cause of death for American Indians and Alaska Natives, blacks, Hispanics, and whites. For Asians and Pacific Islanders, cancer is the leading cause of death (accounting for 27.5% of all deaths), heart disease is a close second (25.0%).

Heart disease crude death rates per 100,000 population for the five largest U.S. racial/ethnic groups are as follows: Hispanics, 69.2; Asians and Pacific Islanders, 73; American Indians, 82.5; blacks, 189.8; and whites, 235.5.2

In 2005, the age-adjusted death rates for diseases of the heart was 211.1 deaths per 100,000 for all Americans. The age-adjusted death rate for whites was 207.8, and 271.3 for African Americans. Age adjusted rates are used to compare populations with differing age distributions.

By state, age-adjusted death rates per 100,000 for diseases of the heart ranged from 141.1 (Minnesota) to 306.8 (Mississippi) in 2005.

Coronary heart disease is the principal type of heart disease. In 2005, 445,687 people that died from coronary heart disease. That is about 68.3% of all heart disease deaths.

It is estimated that about 47% of cardiac deaths occur before emergency services or transport to a hospital.

In 2009, heart disease is projected to cost more than $304.6 billion, including health care services, medications, and lost productivity.

Worldwide, coronary heart disease killed more than 7.6 million people in 2005.

Risk factors for heart disease among adults (for years 2003–2004 unless noted, age-adjusted)

• Percentage of persons aged 20 years and older with hypertension or taking hypertension medications: 32.1%


• Percentage of persons aged 20 years and older with high blood cholesterol: 16.9%


• Percentage of persons aged 20 years and older with physician-diagnosed diabetes: 10.0%


• Percentage of persons aged 20 years and older who are obese: 32.0%


• Percentage of adults aged 18 years and older who are current cigarette smokers (2004-2006): 18.4%


• Percentage of adults aged 18 years and older who engage in no leisure-time physical activity (2006): 39.5%

In 2003, approximately 37% of adults reported having two or more of six risk factors for heart disease and stroke (high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, current smoking, physical inactivity, and obesity).

Timely access to emergency cardiac care and survival is partly dependent on early recognition of heart attack symptoms and immediate action by calling emergency services. In a 2005 survey, most persons (92%) recognized chest pain as a heart attack symptom, but only 27% correctly classified all symptoms and knew to call 9–1–1 when someone was having a heart attack.

Studies among people with heart disease have shown that keeping high blood cholesterol and hypertension in check can reduce the risk of sudden death due to heart disease, having a nonfatal heart attack, and needing heart bypass surgery or angioplasty.

Studies among people without heart disease have shown that lowering high blood cholesterol and high blood pressure can reduce the risk of developing heart disease.

Heart Disease and Smoking:

According to research, smoking cigarettes is a leading cause and accelerator of heart disease. Smoking impacts heart disease by many different mechanisms.

Smoking:

• speeds up progression of atherosclerosis


• alters lipid profile, with more LDL and less HDL


• increases heart muscle oxygen demand by 10%


• reduces coronary artery blood flow due to adrenaline release


• diminishes coronary collateral flow reserve


• lowers threshold for angina pain


• interferes with efficacy of medication designed to prevent angina


• raises blood levels of fibrinogen


• alters the clotting mechanism with aggregation of blood platelets


• causes endothelial cell dysfunction, with reduced ability to produce chemicals that dilate the arteries


• Interesting Facts About Heart Disease


• Male pattern baldness, hair in the ear canals, and creased earlobes are associated with a higher risk for heart disease in white males

Men who were clinically depressed had a higher risk for heart disease and heart attack than men who were not. Abnormally high blood levels of the amino acid homocysteine are strongly linked to an increased risk of the coronary artery.

Disease And Stroke: People who live a sedentary lifestyle are almost twice as likely to suffer heart attacks as are people who exercise regularly.

African American women have the highest risk for death from heart disease. People who eat beans at least four times a week have a lower level of heart disease (19% lower) than people who eat beans less than once a week.

Heart disease is a condition that is controllable and preventable. Managing your risks include eating a heart healthy diet rich in vegetables, fruits, whole grains and lean meats, and regular exercise help to lower your risks for heart disease. Medication may also be prescribed by your physician to control symptoms and prevent major problems.

by Barb Hicks, RN/LMT

Stats Resource: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention