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

September 29th is World Heart Day
  • Heart disease is the leading cause of death in Indiana and the U.S.
  • Cardiovascular disease causes17.3 million deaths each year worldwide.

Take a few minutes in the month of September to learn more about your heart health and join the effort to promote heart health!

  • Find out more about your heart health on The American Heart Association's new My Life Check and their Simple Seven. These tools will help you assess your heart health and plan one step towards better health.
  • Join in the National initiative to prevent 1 million heart attacks and strokes over the next 5 years. Learn more about the Million Hearts Campaign.

Are you at risk? (Risk Factors)

  • High Blood Pressure (In 2011, 33% of all Indiana adults reported having high blood pressure.)
  • High Cholesterol (In 2011, nearly 40% of all Hoosier adults reported having high cholesterol.)
  • Diabetes (In 2011, over 470,000 Indiana adults reported having diabetes.)
  • Physical Inactivity
  • Poor Nutrition
  • Obesity
  • Smoking

Take a step to prevent cardiovascular disease (Prevention)

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

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 theface, 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.

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.

NEW Healthy People 2020 Update: Heart Disease and Stroke in Indiana 2013

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

(CDC, 2009 BRFSS, 2007 ISDH Mortality)

Mission

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

 

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