Heart Diseases (Cardiovascular Diseases).

About Cardiovascular Disease

The Burden of Disease: Cardiovascular diseases (CVD), principally heart disease and stroke, are among the nation's leading killers for both men and women and among all racial and ethnic groups.  More than 59 million Americans have some form of CVD, including high blood pressure, coronary heart disease, stroke, congestive heart failure, and other conditions.

More than 2,600 Americans die each day of CVD. That is an average of 1 death every 33 seconds. CVD will cost the nation an estimated $326.6 billion in 2000, including health expenditures and lost productivity. Among women, cardiovascular disease claims more lives than the next 14 causes of death combined. Until fiscal year 1998, no federal funding had been directed to states to specifically target cardiovascular diseases.  Most state funds came through the general preventive health and health services block grant. In 1998, CDC received funding for states to develop comprehensive cardiovascular health programs.

Individual Risk Factors of Heart Diseases:

• High blood pressure

• Tobacco Use

• High blood Cholesterol

• Physical Inactivity

• Diabetes

• Poor Nutrition

• Overweight/Obesity

For more information visit: http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/cvd/aboutcardio.htm