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