Published: February 08, 2008 12:26 pm            

DHR: risk of heart disease and strokes can be controlled

Submitted by the Department of Human Resources



ATLANTA — Eighty-eight percent of Americans over the age 65 have at least one chronic health condition such as heart disease, cancer, stroke and diabetes, which can be controlled by making healthy lifestyle changes.

About 40 percent of deaths in the nation can be attributed to smoking, lack of physical activity, poor diet or the misuse of alcohol. By adopting healthy behaviors such as eating a healthy diet, being physically active, maintaining a healthy weight, controlling blood pressure and cholesterol levels, and avoiding tobacco use, a person can prevent or control the effects of many chronic diseases. During American Heart Month in February, the Department of Human Resources, Division of Aging Services (DAS) is urging older adults and others to practice healthy behaviors and learn the signs of a heart attack and stroke.

“Heart disease remains the leading cause of death in the United States with strokes as the third leading cause. To help reduce the risk of a heart attack and stroke, individuals should get familiar with the warning signs and practice healthy behaviors,” said Maria Greene, director of DAS.

There are an estimated 80.7 million Americans with one or more types of cardiovascular disease. Of these, 38.2 million are estimated to be age 60 or older, according to the American Heart Association’s Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics 2008 Update. The prevalence of strokes in 2005 for adults age 20 and older was estimated at 5.8 million. About 780,000 people in the United States experience a new or recurrent stroke each year. Of these, 600,000 are first time strokes, and 180,000 are recurrences in people who have already had one. On average, every 40 seconds someone in America has a stroke.

For a heart attack, the warning signs include chest discomfort in the center of the chest that lasts more than a few minutes, or goes away and returns. It may feel like uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain. Symptoms can also include discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw or stomach. Shortness of breath may occur with or without chest discomfort. Other symptoms include breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea or lightheadedness.

For a stroke, the symptoms and warning signs are sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body; sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding; sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes; sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination; and sudden severe headache with no known cause.

For more information on heart disease and strokes, contact the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention at http://www.cdc.gov/, or the American Heart Association at http://www.americanheart.org/. For information on leading a healthy lifestyle, visit the Live Healthy Georgia Campaign Web site at www.livehealthygeorgia.org or Live Healthy Georgia Seniors Taking Charge at http://www.livewellagewell.info/.

        

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