2006 Georgia data summary: cardiovascular disease

2006 Georgia Data Summary:
CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in Georgia. However, there are many things you can do 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 (34%) of deaths in Georgia, with 22,378 CVD deaths in 2004.
In 2004, Georgia's CVD death rate was 14% higher than the national rate.
CVD death rates were 1.4 times higher for men than women in 2004.
CVD death rates were 1.3 times higher for blacks than whites in 2004.

DEATHS BY COUNTY
Cardiovascular Disease Death Rates by County, Georgia, 2000-2004

Age-adjusted rate per 100,000 population

Cardiovascular Disease Death Rates by Race and Sex, Georgia, 2004
Black White

600

487

371 400

200

341 262

0 Males

Females

CVD death rate increases with age but 1 in 4
persons who died from CVD in 2004 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 2004 was less than 65 years of age.

1Derived from national estimates published by the American Heart Association. Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics - 2004 Update. Dallas, TX: American Heart Association; 2004. 2Hospital charges from acute care non-federal hospitals

ESTIMATED COSTS
The cost of CVD in Georgia in 2004 is estimated at $9.6 billion,1 which includes direct health care costs and lost productivity from morbidity and mortality (indirect costs).
HOSPITALIZATIONS
Approximately 145,000 hospitalizations occurred among Georgia residents due to CVD in 2004.
The average charge per CVD hospitalization was $26,200 in 2004.2
Total hospital charges for CVD increased by over $1.3 billion between 2001 and 2004, from $2.5 billion to $3.8 billion.
The average hospitalization length of stay for CVD was 4 days in 2004.

SMOKING

HEART DISEASE AND STROKE RISK FACTORS
OBESITY

3,193 deaths due to CVD were attributable to smoking among adults ages 35 or older in 2004.
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, 22% of adults reported smoking cigarettes in 2005.
LACK OF PHYSICAL ACTIVITY
Lack of physical activity increases the risk for heart disease and stroke.

High blood pressure can by 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 20% in 1995 to 27% in 2005.

Regular physical activity helps to maintain proper body weight and improves general health.
In 2005, 58% of adults in Georgia did not meet the Centers for Disease Control's recommendations for physical activity.
POOR EATING HABITS

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 22% in 1995 to 32% in 2005.

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 (77%) of adults in Georgia did not consume the recommended five or more servings of fruits and vegetables per day in 2005.

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 4% in 1995 to 8% in 2005.

Percent

Prevalence of risk factors for cardiovascular disease among adults,

Georgia, 2005

100
77 80
58 60

40

22

27

27

32

20

0

Current smoker

Not meeting

<5 Friuts and

recommended physical Vegetables per day

activity

Obese

Ever high blood pressure (1)

Ever 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, 2005
Date updated: August 2006 Publication number: DPH06.134HW Visit http://www.health.state.ga.us/epi/cdiee/cardio.asp for more information about cardiovascular disease in Georgia.

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Diabetes