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Trends in Heart Disease Statistics
From 1998 to 2008, the death rate of cardiovascular diseases declined by 30.6 percent. However, this by no means indicates that we’re out of the woods in terms of heart disease prevalence and risk.
Every year, close to 800,000 individuals experience a new or recurrent stroke and 475,000 have a recurrent heart attack. Therefore it’s that much more critical for healthcare professionals and first responders to equip themselves with the latest knowledge, trends and heart and stroke statistics that impact their delivery of emergency care.
Heart disease statistics: trend
- Obesity remains on the rise. More than two-thirds, 67.3 percent, of American adults are overweight or obese and 31.7 percent of children (ages 2-19) are overweight or obese. And obesity is a trend that continues to increase. It is undoubtedly linked to a wide variety of medical conditions, including heart disease. By increasing levels of physical activity and taking a hard look at the types of food Americans consume, obesity trends can be reversed and the number of individuals struggling with heart disease will decline.
- Cardiovascular disease strikes in younger individuals. According to the American Heart Association’s Statistical Update, more than one in three American adults have one or more types of cardiovascular disease. High blood pressure is the most frequently seen disease in these individuals. Additionally, it’s estimated that nearly half of those with cardiovascular disease are under the age of 60. These numbers may speak to recent changes in the ages and types of patient healthcare professionals are treating for cardiovascular diseases.
- Deaths resulting from strokes are declining. From 1998 to 2008, the stroke death rate fell 34.8 percent, placing it as the fourth leading cause of death in the United States. Stroke was originally the third leading cause of death for Americans. The drastic decline is thought to partially be due to better treatments for acute stroke and increased education and awareness of stroke signs and symptoms.
Healthcare professionals take note: Recent heart and stroke statistics
When healthcare and emergency response professionals are aware of and up-to-date on the most recent disease-related statistics, they’re able to better provide preventative care – where applicable – and refine their life-saving skills using new techniques. A sampling of important heart and stroke statistics include:
- 49.4 percent of total cardiovascular disease deaths were due to coronary heart disease; 7.0 percent due to heart failure.
- 16.5 percent of cardiovascular disease deaths were attributed to stroke.
Heart disease statistics trends and relevant data are important for healthcare professionals, as well as the average lay person, to know. Understanding these facts will help professionals and lay people alike know the warning signs for cardiac arrest and stroke, and be aware of what the first treatment options and responses should be.
Being properly certified in advanced cardiac life support (ACLS) – and keeping your certification up to date – can better equip healthcare professionals and emergency responders with the knowledge and skills to treat cardiovascular diseases and keep saving lives. Health Ed Solutions, a leading provider of online healthcare certifications, offers convenient, flexible courses for emergency room nurses, hospital-based and private practice doctors and first responders, among others. Click here for ACLS certification information and details; click here for ACLS recertification information and details.