Cardiovascular disease, which includes heart disease and coronary artery disease kills more than 800,000 people each year. It’s the number one killer for people over 65. And, Judith Graham reports for Kaiser Health News that it is not going away soon.
People with cardiovascular disease have blocked arteries. Blocked arteries can lead to stroke, heart attacks and other heart failure. People with high blood pressure, people who are overweight, people with diabetes, people with high cholesterol, and people who don’t exercise are most likely to end up with heart disease.
More than four in five people who die of coronary artery disease are over 65. Death rates were down in the first decade of this century. People smoked less and new treatments helped. But, beginning in 2o11, deaths were on the rise again. And, Covid-19 also contributed to more deaths because it worsened people’s heart conditions and people were less inclined to seek medical care.
Cardiovascular disease is one powerful example of health inequities in the US. Black and Hispanic Americans are more likely to be diagnosed with cardiovascular disease than other individuals. Black men are at the greatest risk of getting cardiovascular disease. Their plight will only worsen without better education, more prevention efforts and treatments.
In many instances, individuals are not personally responsible for cardiovascular disease. Stressors, including systemic racism, can contribute to high blood pressure and other conditions that increase people’s risk of heart disease.
Treatments are available for cardiovascular disease. But, people need to have primary care doctors who screen them for cardiovascular disease and help treat underlying conditions.
What can you do to lower your risk of cardiovascular disease?
- Don’t smoke
- Ask your doctor to check your blood pressure and A1C levels
- Eat less salt and more fruits, vegetables and whole grains
- Exercise, build muscle and maintain a good weight
- Reduce stress
- Control diabetes
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