Virginia Performs

Health & Family

Cardiovascular Disease

Heart disease was the leading cause of death in the United States in 2004, and stroke was the third most common cause. Deaths due to these two deadly cardiovascular diseases declined in Virginia between 1999 and 2002, and state intervention is targeting further decreases.

Why is This Important?

The two most common cardiovascular diseases are heart disease and stroke. More than 910,000 Americans die of cardiovascular diseases each year, which is one death every 35 seconds. The economic impact of cardiovascular diseases on our nation's health care system continues to grow as the population ages.

How is Virginia Doing?

Deaths due to cardiovascular disease fell between 1999 and 2002, both in the nation and within Virginia. In 2002, there were 279 deaths per 100,000 people in Virginia and 319 in the nation, placing Virginia at 14th lowest in the nation. Alaska had the lowest rate at 124 per 100,000. Virginia's rate has consistently been lower than North Carolina, Tennessee and Maryland, which in 2002 had rates of 308, 375 and 291 respectively. Within Virginia, Northern, Hampton Roads and Central Virginia have the lowest cardiovascular death rates, with 129, 233 and 250 deaths per 100,000 people respectively in 2004. Southside had the highest rate in 2004, with 420 deaths per 100,000 people.

What Influences Cardiovascular Disease?

High blood pressure and high blood cholesterol are the two main risk factors for cardiovascular disease. Other risk factors include diabetes, tobacco use, physical inactivity, poor nutrition, and overweight and obesity.

What is the State's Role?

The state can participate in educating the public about the importance of prevention through regular check-ups. The state can also assist by providing health care practitioners information on system changes in guidelines for treating patients at risk for cardiovascular disease. Additional measures recommended by the Centers for Disease Control include: establishing policies for emergency medical services staff and hospitals to treat stroke as an emergency; ensuring work site detection and follow-up services to control high blood pressure and high blood cholesterol among workers; providing educational initiatives to raise people's awareness of the signs and symptoms of heart attack and stroke and the need to call 911 immediately; and helping hospitals make systems changes that will help them adhere to national guidelines and recommendations in order to ensure quality care for victims of heart disease and stroke.