Decline in
Cardiovascular Disease in the USA.
The leading cause of death in the USA are Cardiovascular disease, causing
40% of all
deaths in the USA. From 1950 - 2000, the mortality rate due to CVD decline be a significant 75%. About 950 000 die each year as a result of CVD, which of heart disease and stroke are the principal manifestations of
Cardiovascular disease. These statistic translate into about one death per every 33 seconds, and one third of these deaths occur among the elderly. About 61 million people ( 25% of the population) have some form of cardiovascular disease and thus sending about 6 million people to hospital each year. In 2003 the cost associated with CVD were estimated to be $ 351 billion: $209 billion for health care expenditures and $142 billion for lost productivity and disability. According to the heart foundation of America, as many as 99.5 million adults meet the definition of high blood cholesterol and are at increased risk of heart attack. Because high cholesterol does not cause obvious symptoms and detection requires a blood test, a few as 42% of those affected by it have been diagnosed. A key strategy for deducing risk is to have health care professionals educate consumers about prevention. Consumers should be educated about signs and symptoms of CVD and the importance of calling emergency services immediately if a stroke or heart attack is suspected. Research indicate that nearly 70% of deaths from heart disease occur before a person can be admitted to hospital, and about 48% of stroke victims die before emergency medical personnel arrive.