2008 Georgia data summary: cardiovascular disease

2008 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 (32%) of deaths in Georgia, with 21,754 CVD deaths in 2006.

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 for women in 2006.

CVD death rates were 1.3 times higher for blacks than for whites in 2006.

Cardiovascular Disease Death Rates by Race and Sex, Georgia, 2006

Black White 600
431

400

322

297

224

200

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 2006 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 2006 was less than 65 years of age.

DEATHS BY COUNTY
Cardiovascular Disease Death Rates by County, Georgia, 2001-2006
HOSPITALIZATIONS Approximately 143,800 hospitalizations occurred among Georgia residents due to CVD in 2006. The average hospitalization length of stay for CVD was 5 days in 2006.
ESTIMATED COSTS The average charge per CVD hospitalization was $30,700 in 2006.1 Total hospital charges for CVD increased by over $1.6 billion between 2002 and 2006, from $2.8 billion to $4.4 billion. The cost of CVD in Georgia in 2006 is estimated at $10.5 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 - 2005 Update. Dallas, TX: American Heart Association; 2005.

Georgia Department of Human Resources, 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

3,289 deaths due to CVD were attributable to smoking among adults ages 35 or older in 2006.
Quitting smoking greatly reduces the risk for heart disease and stroke.

Obesity, which is present in 29% of adults in Georgia, increases the risk of cardiovascular disease.
HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE

In Georgia, 19% of adults ages 35 or older reported smoking cigarettes in 2007.
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 2007, 25% 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.

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 majority (75%) of adults in Georgia did not consume the recommended five or more servings of fruits and vegetables per day in 2007.

The percentage of adults who report having diabetes increased from 4% in 1997 to 10% in 2007.

Percent

Prevalence of risk factors for cardiovascular disease among adults,

Georgia, 2007
100 75
80

60

40

19

25

20

29

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

Date updated: July 2008 Publication number: DPH08/216HW Visit http://www.health.state.ga.us/epi/cdiee/cardio.asp for more information about cardiovascular disease in Georgia.

10
Diabetes

Georgia Department of Human Resources, 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