Georgia data summary. STROKE and cerebrovascular disease

2009 Georgia Data Summary:
STROKE
Stroke is the third leading cause of death in Georgia and is a major cause of disability. Education and better patient care can improve stroke outcomes. Nearly 2.8 million Georgia adults do not know the signs of stroke.1

DEFINITION
A stroke, or brain tissue death, can be the result of a thrombus (blocked artery) or a hemorrhage (ruptured artery) that prevents blood flow to the brain

Age-Adjusted Stroke Death Rates by County, Georgia, 2003-2007

An ischemic stroke is caused by blockage or constriction of blood vessels supplying blood to the brain

A hemorrhagic stroke is caused by a rupture in the blood vessels supplying blood to the brain

A transient ischemic attack is a temporary blockage of blood flow in the brain, which causes a short-lived neurological deficit

Some strokes can be prevented through behavioral lifestyle modification
DEATHS
Stroke was the third most frequent cause of death in Georgia, accounting for 6% of all deaths, with 3,749 stroke deaths in 2007
In 2007, strokes were responsible for 18% of all cardiovascular deaths in Georgia
In 2006, Georgia's stroke death rate was 16% higher than the national rate
The stroke death rate in Georgia was 1.5 times higher for blacks than whites in 2007
23% of persons dying from stroke in Georgia in 2007 were less than 65 years old
In 2007: o 4% of Georgia's stroke deaths were due to ischemic stroke, or stroke caused by blockage or constriction of blood vessels supplying blood to the brain o 26% of Georgia's stroke deaths were due to hemorrhagic stroke, or stroke caused by a rupture in the blood vessels supplying blood to the brain

HOSPITALIZATIONS
Approximately 19,900 hospitalizations occurred among Georgia residents due to stroke in 2007
76% of stroke hospitalizations were due to ischemic stroke, while 17% were due to hemorrhagic stroke
The average hospitalization length of stay for stroke was 6 days in 2007, compared to a national average of 5 days (2006 data)
ESTIMATED COSTS
Total hospital charges for stroke in Georgia were $635 million in 2007, accounting for 14% of all CVD hospital charges
The average charge per stroke hospitalization in Georgia was $32,000 in 2007
The cost of stroke in Georgia in 2007 is estimated at $1.7 billion, which includes direct health care costs and lost productivity from morbidity and mortality (indirect costs)2

1 Data Source: 2006 Georgia Stroke and Heart Attack Awareness Survey 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

STROKE RISK FACTORS

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

OBESITY
Obesity, which is present in 27% of adults in Georgia, increases the risk of cardiovascular disease
HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE
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
HIGH CHOLESTEROL
Many people can control high cholesterol by modifying their diet. For those who cannot, medication can lower blood cholesterol levels
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
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

Prevalence of risk factors for cardiovascular disease among adults,

Georgia, 2007 and 2008

10 0

80

75

60

40

20

23

20

27

30

37

0

Current smoker No leisure time <5 fruits and

Obese

Ever had high Ever had high

physical activity vegetables per

blood pressure cholesterol (2)

day

(1)

(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

Date updated: July 2009 Publication number: Visit http://health.state.ga.us/epi/cdiee/index.asp for more information about stroke and other chronic diseases 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