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Chronic Disease > Cardiovascular Health > Cardiovascular Health Home Cardiovascular Health Home

Mission

To provide public health leadership to improve cardiovascular health for all, reduce the burden, and eliminate disparities associated with heart disease and stroke.

Vision

Six (6) National Priorities set by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) direct our vision:

  • Increase control of high blood pressure primarily in adults and older adults
  • Increase control of high blood cholesterol primarily in adults and older adults
  • Increase knowledge of signs and symptoms for heart attack and stroke, and the importance of calling 911
  • Improve emergency response
  • Improve quality of heart disease and stroke care
  • Eliminate health disparities in terms of race, ethnicity, gender, geography, or socio-economic status

Facts About Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) and Stroke

  • CVD is the leading cause of death in the U.S. and Indiana.
  • Stroke is the 3rd leading cause of death in the U.S. and the 4th leading cause of death in Indiana.
  • Every 39 seconds an adult dies of heart attack, stroke, or other cardiovascular disease.
  • Nearly 68 million adults have high blood pressure; but about 1 in 2 doesn't have it under control.
  • 71 million U.S. adults have high cholesterol; but 2 in 3 don't have it under control.
  • The 2003 Milken Institute report estimated the total cost (direct and indirect) of treating heart disease in Indiana was over $4 billion and for stroke was $84 million.

View the 2012 Fact Sheet Heart Disease and Stroke in Indiana. 

* Coming in 2012, the complete Burden of Cardiovasular Disease and Stroke in Indiana.

(CDC, 2009 BRFSS, 2007 ISDH Mortality)

 

Risk Factors for Heart Disease and Stroke

  • High Blood Pressure (In 2009, 31% of all Indiana adults reported having high blood pressure.)
  • High Cholesterol (In 2009, nearly 40% of all Hoosier adults reported having high cholesterol.)
  • Diabetes (In 2009, over 450,000 Indiana adults reported having diabetes.)
  • Physical Inactivity
  • Poor Nutrition
  • Obesity
  • Smoking

Recognition of Signs and Symptoms

5 major symptoms of a heart attack:

  • Pain or discomfort in the jaw, neck, or back.
  • Feeling weak, light-headed, or faint.
  • Chest pain or discomfort.
  • Pain or discomfort in arms or shoulder.
  • Shortness of breath.

5 major symptoms of a stroke:

  • Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm, or leg.
  • Sudden confusion or trouble speaking or understanding others.
  • Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes.
  • Sudden dizziness, trouble walking, or loss of balance or coordination.
  • Sudden severe headache with no known cause.

Prevention

  • Eat a healthy diet
  • Maintain a healthy weight
  • Exercise regularly
  • Don't smoke
  • Have your cholesterol checked
  • Monitor your blood pressure
  • Manage your diabetes

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