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Heart Disease
What is Cardiovascular Disease?
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death in Georgia, accounting for more than 28,000 deaths a year. This is about 1 in 3 deaths overall. Most of these deaths are premature and preventable. Each year, 165,103 years of potential life lost occur in Georgia due to CVD.
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 all 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.
To prevent CVD, you should maintain a healthy lifestyle to include a balanced diet, physical activity, refrain from tobacco use, and adhere to prescribed medication(s). Additionally, incorporate your team of health care providers to assist in controlling your health and maintaining a healthy lifestyle through regular blood pressure and cholesterol checks.
Combating Heart Disease in Georgia
Cardiovascular disease has risen to the top of the chart for leading causes of death in Georgia. Preventable and controllable chronic diseases cost Georgia more than $40 billion dollars per year and are the leading preventable causes of death and disability in Georgia. Georgia is ranked 32nd in the nation for health outcomes. With 1 out of every 6 residents in Georgia living in poverty, this serves as a predictor for lifelong poor health outcomes. Specifically, 20.2% of children in Georgia are living in poverty. Poor workforce health and the perception of Georgians maintaining unhealthy lifestyles also contribute to the low ranking. Preventing cardiovascular disease will lead to better health outcomes for the State of Georgia and decrease the billions of dollars spent on this preventable cause of hospitalization, death, and disability.
In efforts to fight heart disease, The Georgia Department of Public Health is 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 2027.
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 ABCDE’S of heart health:
- A – Aspirin, when appropriate
- B – Blood Pressure Control
- C – Cholesterol Management
- D – Diabetes Management
- E – Exercise
- S – Smoking Cessation
To Prevent Cardiovascular Disease
- Know and control your blood pressure
- Aim for 30 minutes of physical activity each day (this can be broken into 5- or 10-minute bouts)
- Self-manage your diabetes
- Know and control your cholesterol and triglyceride levels
- Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables
- Choose lean meats rather than red meat
- Reduce your sodium intake
- Choose not to use tobacco products
- Maintain a healthy weight
- Limit alcohol consumption
General Heart Disease Resources
Providers/Physicians
Tools & Protocols | Million Hearts®
Data & Reports | Million Hearts®
Home | National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)
Pharmacists
Blood Pressure Management Guide: Pharmacist
Community
About Heart Disease | cdc.gov
Learn & Prevent | Million Hearts®
Team Up. Pressure Down. Hypertension Journal
Last reviewed 10/3/2024