Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention

Heart Facts

Cardiovascular diseases rank as America’s No. 1 killer, claiming the lives of over 37% or 1 out of every 2.7 Americans who die each year. Seventy one million Americans have some form of cardiovascular diseases (CVD). This includes diseases of the heart, stroke, high blood pressure, congestive heart failure, congenital heart defects, hardening of the arteries and other diseases of the circulatory system. Americans paid about $403 billion in 2003 for CVD-related medical costs and disability.

A State Tragedy

Heart disease and stroke are the #1 and #3 causes of death in Arkansas.
The total cardiovascular disease death rate in Arkansas is the 5th highest in the U.S.
High blood pressure is reported by 30.5% of adult Arkansans.
The Stroke death rate in Arkansas is the highest in the U.S.
The Diabetes frequency in Arkansas increased 1994-2000 (5.4% to 6.2%) to 7.4% in 2005.
Arkansas ranks 7th in the nation in obesity (BMI>30) with 28.0% of adults being obese.
Of Arkansas children 0-5 years of age, 20.4% (%>95th) are obese.
Of Arkansas student’s 9th-12th grades, 34% describe themselves as overweight.
In 2000, total hospital charges in Arkansas for cardiovascular disease totaled over $1 billion dollars.

Act in Time

The American Heart Association and the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute have launched a new “Act in Time” campaign to increase people’s awareness of heart attack and the importance of calling 9-1-1 immediately at the onset of heart attack symptoms.

Heart Attack Warning Signs

Chest discomfort. Most heart attacks involve discomfort in the center of the chest that lasts more than a few minutes, or that goes away and comes back. It can feel like uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain.
Discomfort in other areas of the upper body. Symptoms can include pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw, or stomach.
Shortness of breath. This feeling often comes along with chest discomfort. But it can occur before the chest discomfort.
Other signs. These may include breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea or light-headedness

Stroke Warning Signs

Sudden numbness or weakness of face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body.
Sudden confusion or trouble speaking or understanding speech.
Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes.
Sudden trouble walking, dizziness or loss of balance or coordination.
Sudden severe headache with no known cause.

If you or someone you are with begins to have any of these signs, don’t delay! Immediately call 9-1-1or the emergency medical services (EMS) number, so an ambulance can be sent for you.