According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the prevalence of coronary heart disease is declining in the U.S. More specifically, surveys from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) found that between 2006 and 2010 there has been a significant decrease in overall coronary heart disease, from 6.7 percent down to 6 percent. This decrease in prevalence could be linked to the concerted public-health effort over the past two decades on prevention and treatment programs.
The study admits the decline in coronary heart disease mortality over the past 50 years should result in an increase in the coronary heart disease prevalence. However, to explain the study’s findings, the researchers believe the observed decline in observation is due to a reduction in the population pool of individuals at risk.
The report included extensive data about the differences in coronary heart disease prevalence based on age, sex, race/ethnicity, education, and state of residence.
Coronary heart disease prevalence was generally highest in the south. West Virginia and Kentucky had the highest prevalence of coronary heart disease, 8 percent and 8.2 percent. Alternatively, in 2010, Hawaii and DC had the lowest prevalence, 3.7 percent and 3.8 percent respectively. Most surprisingly, Wisconsin had the lowest rate of heart disease in the nation, a rate of 4.9 percent.
Additionally, the risk of heart disease was influenced by age. The lowest rates of heart disease were among younger people, under the age of 65 years old. In 2010, nearly 20 percent of individuals 65 years old and older had heart disease, compared with about 7 percent of individuals who were between 45 to 64 years old, and about 1 percent of individuals between 18 to 44 years old.
Education appeared to also influence heart disease prevalence. Heart disease was more prevalent among people without a high school diploma, 9.2 percent. People with some college education had a 6.2 percent prevalence rate, and those with more than an undergraduate degree enjoyed the lowest rate of 4.6 percent.
Women tended to have lower rates of heart disease than men, 4.6 percent and 7.8 percent, respectively.
Lastly, ethnicity appeared to play a role as well. The greatest declines in heart disease were among Caucasian people, from 6.4 percent in 2006 to 5.8 percent in 2010. Similarly, Hispanic Americans had a significant drop in heart disease, from 6.9 percent to 6.1 percent in 2010. On the other hand, the rate of heart disease increased among blacks, from 6.4 percent to 6.5 percent. American Indians/Alaska Natives had the highest prevalence of heart disease, at 11.6 percent, according to the CDC.
Heart disease remains the nber one killer of Americans. According to the CDC, about 785,000 Americans will have a new coronary attack annually, and about 470,000 will have a recurrent attack. In addition, more than half a million people will die from heart disease this year.
There are a number of factors influencing a person’s risk for heart disease, including genetics and lifestyle, such as smoking, excessive drinking, history of diabetes and consuming a high fat diet. High blood pressure and high cholesterol have been confirmed risk factors for heart disease.
Heart attacks are serious conditions to seek medical attentions. Most heart attacks develop over time and can cause immediate death. According to the American Heart Association, the following are symptoms of a heart attack:
1) Chest discomfort. Most heart attacks involve discomfort in the center of the chest, lasting a few minutes then reduces and later returns. Some people have described it as uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain.
2) Discomfort in other areas of the upper body, including pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw or stomach.
3) Shortness of breath, regardless of chest discomfort.
Other symptoms include cold sweating, nausea or light-headedness.
