(cont) Deaths Only Part of the Picture
A consideration of deaths alone understates the burden of cardiovascular
disease. About 61 million Americans (almost one-fourth of the population)
live with this disease. Heart disease is a leading cause of disability
among working adults. Stroke alone accounts for disability among more
than 1 million Americans. Almost 6 million hospitalizations each year
are due to cardiovascular disease.
The economic impact of cardiovascular disease on the U.S. health
care system continues to grow as the population ages. The estimated
cost of cardiovascular disease in the United States in 2001 is $298
billion, including health care expenditures and lost productivity.
Risk Behaviors Are Largely Responsible
Three health-related behaviors contribute markedly to cardiovascular
disease:
Tobacco use. Smokers have twice the risk for heart attack of nonsmokers.
Nearly one-fifth of all deaths from cardiovascular disease, or about
190,000 deaths a year, are smoking-related. Every day, more than 3,000
young people become daily smokers.
Lack of physical activity. People who are not physically active have
twice the risk for heart disease of those who are active. More than
half of U.S. adults do not achieve recommended levels of physical
activity.
Poor nutrition. People who are overweight have a higher risk for cardiovascular
disease. Almost 60% of U.S. adults are overweight or obese. Only 18%
of women and 20% of men report eating five servings of fruits and
vegetables each day.
Modifying these behaviors is critical both for preventing and for
controlling cardiovascular disease. Other steps that adults who have
cardiovascular disease should take to reduce their risk of death and
disability include adhering to treatment for high blood pressure and
cholesterol, using aspirin as appropriate, and learning the symptoms
of heart attack and stroke.
