Georgia data summary. Cardiovascular disease

2009 Georgia Data Summary:
CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in Georgia. However, there are many small changes you can make to reduce your risk and live a healthier life.
CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE MORBIDITY, MORTALITY, AND COSTS

DEFINITION

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) includes all diseases of the heart and blood vessels, including ischemic heart disease, stroke, congestive heart failure, hypertensive disease, and atherosclerosis

DEATHS

CVD accounted for one third (32%) of deaths in Georgia, with 21,389 CVD deaths in 2007

In 2006, Georgia's CVD death rate was 9% higher than the national rate

CVD death rates were 1.4 times higher for men than women in 2007

CVD death rates were 1.3 times higher for blacks than whites in 2007

Cardiovascular Disease Death Rates by Race and Sex, Georgia, 2007

Black White 600

413

400

308

200

279 213

Age-adjusted rate per 100,000 population

0 Males

Females

CVD death rate increases with age but 1 in 4 persons who died from CVD in 2007 was less than 65 years of age

Black males are at particularly high risk for
premature death from CVD. Almost 1 in 2 black males who died from CVD in 2007 was less than 65 years of age

DEATHS BY COUNTY
Age-Adjusted Cardiovascular Disease Death Rates by County, Georgia, 2003-2007
HOSPITALIZATIONS Approximately 144,000 hospitalizations
occurred among Georgia residents due to CVD in 2007 The average hospitalization length of stay for CVD was 5 days in 2007, similar to the national average (2006 data) ESTIMATED COSTS The average charge per CVD hospitalization in Georgia was $32,800 in 20071 Total hospital charges for CVD increased by over $1.4 billion between 2003 and 2007, from $3.4 billion to $4.7 billion The cost of CVD in Georgia in 2007 is estimated at $11.2 billion,2 which includes direct health care costs and lost productivity from morbidity and mortality (indirect costs)

1 Hospital charges from acute care non-federal hospitals 2 Derived from national estimates published by the American Heart Association. Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics -- 2007 Update. Dallas, TX: American Heart Association; 2007.
Georgia Department of Community Health, Division of Public Health 2 Peachtree Street, NW Atlanta, GA 30303 (404) 657-3103 ga-cvh@dhr.state.ga.us http://health.state.ga.us

SMOKING

CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE RISK FACTORS
Nearly 2.3 million Georgia adults (33%) do not know the modifiable risk factors for cardiovascular disease.3
OBESITY

2,949 deaths due to CVD were attributable to smoking among adults ages 35 or older in 2007
Quitting smoking greatly reduces the risk for heart disease and stroke

Obesity, which is present in 27% of adults in Georgia, increases the risk of cardiovascular disease
HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE

In Georgia, 18% of adults ages 35 or older reported smoking cigarettes in 2008
LACK OF PHYSICAL ACTIVITY
Lack of physical activity increases the risk for heart disease and stroke

High blood pressure can be controlled through lifestyle changes such as physical activity and healthy diet and, if necessary, medications
The percentage of adults in Georgia who have been told that they have high blood pressure increased from 21% in 1997 to 30% in 2007

Regular physical activity helps to maintain proper body weight and improves general health
In 2008, 23% of adults in Georgia had no leisure time physical activity in the last 30 days

HIGH CHOLESTEROL
Many people can control high cholesterol by modifying their diet. For those who cannot, medication can lower blood cholesterol levels

POOR EATING HABITS
Poor eating habits such as a high-fat diet can lead to obesity, ischemic heart disease, stroke, and other chronic diseases

The percentage of adults in Georgia who have been told that they have high cholesterol increased from 24% in 1997 to 37% in 2007
DIABETES

Eating five or more servings of fruits and vegetables a day can help prevent heart disease, cancer, and other chronic conditions
The majority (75%) of adults in Georgia did not consume the recommended five or more servings of fruits and vegetables per day in 2007

Diabetes can cause atherosclerosis, also known as hardening of the arteries
Diabetes increases the risk for CVD death
The percentage of adults who report having diabetes increased from 6% in 1998 to 10% in 2008

Percent

Prevalence of risk factors for cardiovascular disease among adults,

Georgia, 2007 and 2008
100 75
80

60

40

20

23

20

27

30

37

0

Current smoker

No leisure time physical activity

<5 fruits and vegetables per
day

Obese

Ever had high blood pressure
(1)

Ever had high cholesterol (2)

(1) The percentage of Georgians who reported having been told they had high blood pressure (2) Of persons who had their blood cholesterol level checked, the percentage told that they have high cholesterol Data Source: Georgia Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System 2007 and 2008

10
Diabetes

3 Data Source: 2006 Georgia Stroke and Heart Attack Awareness Survey Date updated: July 2009 Publication number: Visit http://www.health.state.ga.us/epi/cdiee/cardio.asp for more information about cardiovascular disease in Georgia.
Georgia Department of Community Health, Division of Public Health 2 Peachtree Street, NW Atlanta, GA 30303 (404) 657-3103 ga-cvh@dhr.state.ga.us http://health.state.ga.us