Heart Health and Stroke

Jump to another page... Introduction Chronic heart disease Leisure time physical activity Fruits and Vegetables Fruit consumption Vegetable consumption Use of food labels High-fat diet Obesity Smoking Current drinkers Routine annual checkups Hypertension and high blood pressure High cholesterol Diabetes prevalence Direct care physician to population ratio Hospitalization rate for Heart Disease Age-adjusted mortality for heart disease Years of potential life lost (YPLL) due to heart disease Cerebrovascular Disease Direct Care Physicians Hospitalization rate for cerebrovascular disease (stroke) Age-adjusted mortality for cerebrovascular disease (stroke) Years of potential life lost (YPLL) due to cerebrovascular disease (stroke)

The first and third leading causes of death in the United States are heart disease and cerebrovascular accident (stroke). Most of cardiovascular disease morbidity is the result of these two conditions. Heart disease is the cause of more than 40 percent of all deaths in the US. Cardiovascular disease is often thought to primarily affect men and older people. However, more than half of all cardiovascular disease deaths each year occur among women and is a significant threat to people of all ages.59 Studies have identified a number of factors that increase the risk of heart disease and stroke. In addition, clinical trials and prevention research studies have demonstrated effective strategies to prevent and control these risk factors and thereby reduce illnesses, disabilities, and deaths caused by heart disease and stroke.60

Stroke is a cardiovascular disease that affects blood vessels that supply blood to the brain. Nerve cells in the affected area of the brain are deprived of oxygen, lose function, and die within minutes. When nerve cells lose function, parts of the body they control can't function either. Because dead brain cells are not replaced the debilitating effects of stroke are often permanent.61 If treated within two hours after an event the effects can often be reversed.

Heart disease and stroke share several risk factors. Some risk factors develop early in life: Atherosclerosis is already present for many in late adolescence, diabetes in overweight children is on the rise, and hypertension can begin in the early teens. Adult obesity and diabetes are also risk factors for heart disease. Tobacco use often begins in adolescence; therefore, primary prevention efforts should be expanded in elementary and secondary schools and at the college level.62

Primary prevention, specifically through lifestyle interventions, are actions that promote heart-healthy behaviors. Lifestyle changes are difficult. Even when changes are made they can be difficult to maintain. Heart healthy lifestyles include: regular physical activity, consuming a diet that support as healthy body weight, avoiding tobacco products, and avoiding excessive alcohol consumption and illegal drug abuse.

Engaging in leisure time physical activity and good nutritional behaviors will help control cardiovascular risk factors including high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol, and weight. Discouraging people from starting to smoke cigarettes and supporting those who wish to stop are important actions to promote heart health and healthy lifestyles.63

Chronic heart disease

In Bexar County, six percent of survey respondents indicated that they have been told that they have chronic heart disease (CHD). This question was not asked in the 2004 or 2005 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS). Nine percent of those living in the Southeast sector of the county report having CHD. In the North Central sector, only 3 percent and in the West sector 5 percent report being told that they have CHD. Given the sampling error of the survey there is little or no real difference in the estimated prevalence of CHD across Bexar County.

Angina is a symptom of coronary heart disease. Angina is chest pain or discomfort that occurs when the heart muscle is not getting enough blood.64 Four percent of Bexar County residents reported that they have been told they had angina in 2005. If the blood flow to the heart is severely reduce or blocked a person may have a heart attack (myocardial infarction).1 In 2005, three percent of Bexar County residents reported that a health professional had told them they had a heart attack. An estimated 2 percent of residents indicated they had been told that they have had a stroke.

Leisure time physical activity

Participation in non-work related physical activity is an important component of a healthy lifestyle and recent research shows that regular physical activity maintains a healthy heart and healthy circulation; which improves blood flow and blood pressure. It also lowers glucose levels, helps with weight loss, and strengthens muscles.65

Consequently exercise helps to prevent or control heart disease. It is not necessary to engage in strenuous activity to get the benefit of exercise. Moderate exercise such as brisk walking for 20 minutes each day is sufficient to benefit the cardiovascular system. Exercise may have other health benefits, such as most people find it relaxing and it helps to reduce stress.

Since 2002, the percentage of people who report they have engaged in leisure time activity in the last 30 days has increased slightly across Texas. Both Bexar and Harris Counties have seen a more significant increase in the number of people who exercise.

In Bexar County the proportion who exercised in the past 30 days increased from 68 percent in 2002 to 76 percent in 2004-2005. Most of the increase in exercise was in the more affluent northern sectors. In the northern part of Bexar County the percent of respondents who report exercising ranges from 75 percent in the North Central to 83 and 84 percent in the Northeast and the Northwest. In the southern sectors of Bexar County the percentage who exercise range from 63 percent in the South to 66 percent in the East and 69 percent in the West.

Often people think that exercise means vigorous activity like running. It is necessary to inform people that activities like walking 20-30 minutes most days can be beneficial to their health.66 Walking can be an important component of a health campaign. The Walk San Antonio program supported by the Greater San Antonio YMCA encourages residents to get out and walk. There are a variety volkssport clubs throughout the San Antonio area that sponsor group walking events and select hiking trails in the region based on scenic interest, safety and walkability. The Trinity Trekkers and the Texas Wanderers and the Selma Pathfinders are among the several area clubs that belong to the American Volkssport Association. The San Antonio-Bexar County Walkable Community Program sponsored by the Metropolitan Planning Organization promotes walking and bicycling through education in addition to identifying barriers and infrastructure improvements. Its services include Walkable Community Workshops, Safe Route to School Workshops, Safety Classes, and Bicycle Rodeos.