
Heart Disease
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the single leading cause of death in Georgia, accounting for more than 20,000 deaths a year. This is about 1 in 3 deaths overall. Most of these deaths are premature and preventable. Each year, 136,000 years of potential life lost occur in Georgia due to CVD. In 2013 alone, the cost of CVD in Georgia was $6.1 billion.
CVD includes all diseases of the heart and blood vessels, including ischemic heart disease, stroke, congestive heart failure, hypertension and atherosclerosis. High blood pressure, high LDL cholesterol and smoking are key risk factors for heart disease. About half of Americans have at least one of these three risk factors.
Several other medical conditions and lifestyle choices can also put people at a higher risk for heart disease, including diabetes, obesity, poor diet, physical inactivity and excessive alcohol use.
Combating Heart Disease in Georgia
The Georgia Department of Public Health is joining the fight against heart disease as a proud participant in Million Hearts. Spearheaded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, this national public health initiative aims to prevent 1 million heart attacks and strokes by 2017.
Through statewide partnerships with local health departments, community organizations, hospitals and other public health entities, DPH is helping Georgians live a heart-healthy life by promoting evidence-based approaches to controlling CVD, commonly referred to as the ABCD’S of heart health:
- A – Aspirin, when appropriate
- B – Blood Pressure Control
- C – Cholesterol Management
- D – Diabetes Management
- S – Smoking Cessation
Heart Disease Resources
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
High Blood Pressure and Cholesterol PSA (Audio File)
Million Hearts Assembly Toolkit
How
to be a Million Hearts Partner
Plan
Do Study Act (PDSA) Tools
Team
Up. Pressure Down. Overview
National
Quality Forum (NQF) Measure 0018-Quality Positioning System
6
Ways to Improve Hypertension Control
Hypertension
Control: Action Steps for Clinicians Guide
Self-Measured
Blood Pressure Monitoring: Action Steps for Clinicians
Tips
for Physicians and Other Providers
Tips
for Healthcare Professionals
Blood
Pressure Management Guide: Pharmacist
Burden
Reports and Data Summary
Clinician
Quality Measure Dashboard
Page last updated 02/03/16