Deaths from heart disease show decline

By Karen Gidden, Special to the Times
Published February 28, 2008

Coronary heart disease is the leading cause of death among American women over the age of 25 and affects one in 10 women over the age of 18.

In Hernando County, approximately 23 percent of deaths in women are related to heart disease. The good news is the incidence of heart disease is declining. As American Heart Month draws to a close, let's look at some of the progress.

New data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show that national heart disease death rates for women dropped 26.9 percent between 1999 and 2005. Locally, deaths from heart disease in women also have dropped, to 23 percent in 2006 from 32 percent in 1999.

There are many reasons for these improved numbers: reductions in risk factors such as smoking rates, better medications, expanded bystander training and access to automatic external defibrillators, improved emergency response times and advancements in medical care.

Sudden cardiac death from coronary heart disease occurs more than 900 times per day in the United States. A cardiac arrest victim only has minutes to live without help. Early recognition of the signs of a heart attack and immediate contact with 911 are the first steps in lifesaving treatment.

Symptoms of a heart attack may include pain or discomfort in the center of the chest that lasts for more than a few minutes or goes away and comes back; discomfort in other areas of the upper body, including the jaw, back, neck and arms, and shortness of breath. In some cases, no signs are apparent at all.

The value of early recognition of heart attack symptoms and subsequent cardiopulmonary resuscitation by a bystander is that it can "buy time" until professional medical help arrives. Public health educators encourage everyone to be trained in CPR and the use of a defibrillator.

Accredited community programs provide training for early recognition of heart attack warning signs, the importance of calling 911 immediately, CPR, use of early defibrillation and early advanced care by health professionals.

Karen Gidden is a dietitian and health educator consultant with the Hernando County Health Department.

Heart care tips

- Get regular medical checkups.

- Know your cholesterol level and blood pressure and keep them in a safe range.

- Eat a healthy diet that includes five to nine fruits and vegetables a day.

- Schedule time each day for relaxation.

- Exercise at least 30 minutes each day.

- Take medications as directed.

- Don't use tobacco.

- Limit your salt intake.

- If you drink alcohol, do so in moderation.

For information on heart healthy resources, call the Hernando County Health Department at 540-6849 or visit www.americanheart.org or www.cdc.gov on the Web.

[Last modified February 28, 2008, 06:32:40]