2007 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 the outcome of stroke. DEFINITION A stroke, or brain tissue death, can be the result of a thrombus (blocked artery) or a hemorrhage (ruptured artery) which prevents blood flow to the brain. Age-Adjusted Stroke Death Rates by County, Georgia, 2000-2005 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 modification. DEATHS Stroke was the third most frequent cause of death in Georgia, accounting for 6% of all deaths, with 3,793 stroke deaths in 2005. In 2005, strokes were responsible for 17% of all cardiovascular deaths in Georgia. In 2004, Georgia's stroke death rate was 21% higher than the national rate. The stroke death rate in Georgia was 1.4 times higher for blacks than whites in 2005. 20% of persons dying from stroke in Georgia in 2005 were less than 65 years old. Stroke Death Type # GA Deaths (2005) Acute, ill-defined 2,119 Other hemorrhage 775 Sequelae 401 Other, ill-defined 193 Subarachnoid hemorrhage 158 Occlusion 147 ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Stroke Deaths (total) 3,793 HOSPITALIZATIONS Approximately 22,600 hospitalizations occurred among Georgia residents due to stroke in 2005. In 2005, 16% of cardiovascular hospitalizations were attributable to stroke. The average hospitalization length of stay for stroke was 5 days in 2005. ESTIMATED COSTS Total hospital charges for stroke in Georgia were $555 million in 2005. The average charge per stroke hospitalization in Georgia was $24,500 in 2005. The cost of stroke in Georgia in 2005 is estimated at $1.4 billion, which includes direct health care costs and lost productivity from morbidity and mortality (indirect costs).1 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Data sources: 1Derived 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 STROKE RISK FACTORS SMOKING OBESITY 3,696 deaths due to CVD were attributable to smoking among adults ages 35 or older in 2005. Obesity, which is present in 27% of adults in Georgia, increases the risk of cardiovascular disease. Quitting smoking greatly reduces the risk for heart disease and stroke. In Georgia, 20% of adults reported smoking cigarettes in 2006. HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE High blood pressure can be controlled through lifestyle changes such as physical activity and healthy diet and, if necessary, medications. 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 2005, 58% of adults in Georgia did not meet the Centers for Disease Control's recommendations for physical activity. 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 blood pressure increased from 20% in 1995 to 27% in 2005. 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. DIABETES Diabetes can cause atherosclerosis, also known as hardening of the arteries. 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 increases the risk for CVD death. The percentage of adults who report having diabetes increased from 4% in 1995 to 9% in 2006. Percent 100 80 60 40 20 20 Prevalence of risk factors for stroke among adults, Georgia, 2005 and 2006 77 58 27 27 32 0 Current smoker* Not meeting <5 fruits and recommended vegetables per day physical activity Obese* Ever had high blood Ever had high pressure (1) cholesterol (2) 9 Diabetes* (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 2006 Data Source: Georgia Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System 2005 Date updated: July 2007 Publication number: DPH07/102HW Visit http://health.state.ga.us/epi/cdiee/index.asp for more information about stroke and other chronic diseases in Georgia. 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