Heart Disease & Stroke

Did You Know? is a weekly feature from the Office for State, Tribal, Local and Territorial Support to inform your prevention activities. We invite you to read, share, and take action!

View the Current Did You Know?

September 8, 2017

One in 20 adult deaths is due to stroke, but many of these deaths are preventable.
The decline in stroke deaths has stalled in 3 out of every 4 states [PDF-2MB], and death rates are increasing in some states, particularly in the South.
States and communities can help reduce stroke deaths by increasing prevention efforts, promoting awareness of F.A.S.T., and supporting strategies of the Coverdell Program.

April 14, 2017

Stroke can happen to anyone, but African-Americans and Hispanics face more prevention challenges and are more likely to have a stroke.
About 1 in 3 US adults has high blood pressure. African-Americans have higher rates than do whites or Hispanics, and they tend to develop high blood pressure at an earlier age.
Heart disease is the leading cause of death among American Indians and Alaska Natives. Use CDC’s resources to make a difference in your community.

September 16, 2016

About 70% of US adults aged 65 or older have high blood pressure, but only about half have it under control.
Despite having Medicare Part D prescription drug insurance, at least 25% of adults aged 65 or older are not taking their blood pressure medications as directed—according to the latest Vital Signs report.
Health departments can use and share important tools and protocols to advance blood pressure medication adherence.

July 29, 2016

Smoking causes one of every three deaths from cardiovascular disease.
The latest Million Hearts® Action Steps Guide [PDF-318KB] provides clinicians with tested strategies for identifying and treating patients who use tobacco.
Clinicians can try evidence-based protocols for treating tobacco users or customize their own Million Hearts® Tobacco Cessation Protocol [PDF-432KB] template.

February 26, 2016

The burden of heart disease and stroke varies substantially from county to county.
CDC’s Interactive Atlas of Heart Disease and Stroke, an online mapping tool, documents geographic disparities in heart disease and stroke by race/ethnicity, gender, and age.
You can create and share maps of your communities and export data for heart disease and stroke, healthcare services, socioeconomic conditions, and more.

September 4, 2015

About 69 million US adults have a heart age that is 5 or more years older than their actual age, according to this month’s Vital Signs.
About 3 in 4 heart attacks and strokes are due to risk factors that increase heart age; calculate your heart age here.
States can promote efforts to reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke by encouraging smoke-free policies, safe walking areas, and access to healthy, low-sodium foods.

August 15, 2014

Almost half of American adults have at least one major risk factor for cardiovascular disease, including obesity, high cholesterol, and high blood pressure.
Each year, nearly 1 in 3 deaths in the US is caused by heart disease and stroke, but at least 200,000 of these deaths can be prevented through healthy habits like regular physical activity and eating right.
You can help others improve their eating habits by promoting the Million Hearts® initiative’s Healthy Eating & Lifestyle Resource Center.

February 14, 2014

Nearly a quarter of sodium in the American diet comes from restaurant foods, so choose wisely to reduce sodium from menu to mouth [PDF-320KB].
About 9 in 10 Americans consume too much sodium [PDF-1.7MB], and too much sodium increases risk for high blood pressure.
State and local health departments can work with restaurants to help reduce the amount of sodium in food and keep people healthier.

September 6, 2013

At least 200,000 deaths from heart disease and stroke each year are preventable.
We’re all at risk. However, men have a higher risk of death from heart disease and stroke across all races and ethnic groups, and black men are most at risk.
State and local officials can work with health care systems to monitor national quality indicators and encourage use of health information technology to control high blood pressure.

July 26, 2013

The Community Preventive Services Task Force’s annual report to Congress outlines proven means to reduce cardiovascular disease and gaps in the evidence about how to prevent it.
Cardiovascular disease is the number one killer of men and women in the United States. Almost 16% of US annual health expenditures go towards treating the 83 million American adults who suffer from heart disease and stroke.
Health professionals can use a range of evidence-based strategies to reduce people’s risks for cardiovascular disease.

June 14, 2013

More than two thirds of Medicare beneficiaries have multiple chronic conditions, such as heart disease, arthritis, and diabetes, that require ongoing medical attention or limit their daily activities.
In 2011, 93 percent of Medicare spending, or $276 billion, was allocated for caring for beneficiaries with two or more chronic conditions.
Researchers and health professionals can use the new Chronic Conditions Dashboard to find data on the prevalence and costs of chronic conditions among Medicare beneficiaries.

May 3, 2013

More than 75% of US adults with high blood pressure are taking medication to control it—reducing their risk for heart disease and stroke.
When healthcare professionals and patients work as a team—such as engaging patients in their own care with self-management tools and coordinating care among team members (pharmacists, nurses, etc.)—blood pressure control improves.
Million Hearts® tools can help healthcare professionals and patients reduce blood pressure and improve heart health.

September 7, 2012

Nearly 1 in 3 adults have high blood pressure and more than half don’t have it under control.
The risks of uncontrolled blood pressure are serious; it contributes to nearly 1,000 deaths a day.
A new Million Hearts^TM program—Team Up. Pressure Down.—recognizes pharmacists as important partners who can provide education and counseling to patients with high blood pressure.

March 2, 2012

Chronic diseases account for 70% of all deaths in the United States.
Thirty-seven CDC-funded Prevention Research Centers (PRCs) develop and test chronic disease prevention programs and interventions through partnerships with public health agencies.
The PRCs provide health promotion and disease prevention trainings to nearly 2,900 public health employees a year; check out the online catalog of trainings.

February 3, 2012

Every 15 minutes a baby is born with a congenital heart defect.
Congenital heart defects are a leading cause of infant death and can result in lifelong disability.
Reducing obesity, controlling diabetes, and preventing tobacco exposure [PDF-189KB] before and during pregnancy are actions that may help prevent congenital heart defects.

Did You Know? information and web links are current as of their publication date. They may become outdated over time.