Heart Disease and Stroke
(Cardiovascular Disease)
Publications and Materials

Below are selected publications and materials related to heart disease and stroke. Please note the year of publication may be later than the year(s) the data represent.

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2008 Publications and Materials
2007 Publications and Materials
2006 Publications and Materials
2005 Publications and Materials
2004 Publications and Materials
2003 Publications and Materials
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2001 Publications and Materials
Related Links

The WISEWOMAN Program: Reflection and Forecast (5/11/08)
The WISEWOMAN program targets low-income under- and uninsured women aged 40-64 years for screening and interventions aimed at reducing the risk of heart disease, stroke, and other chronic diseases. The program enters its third phase on June 30, 2008. Phase III will address challenges through a number of new initiatives.

Atlas of Stroke Hospitalizations among Medicare Beneficiaries, 2008 (4/30/08)
To provide additional support to states to monitor and improve the quality of care for stroke, this publication presents national Medicare data at the county level for the aggregated time period of 1995�02. Within the study population for this atlas, there were an average 27,759,446 Medicare beneficiaries per year during 1995�02. Just under 60% of the beneficiaries were women.

Listen to Your Heart Podcast (3/26/08)
Each year, approximately half a million Americans die from a heart attack, and this broadcast discusses common symptoms of an impending heart attack.

Hypertension Awareness, Treatment, and Control: Continued Disparities in Adults- United States, 2005-2006 (2/14/08)
In 2005�06, 29% of all U.S. adults 18 years and older were hypertensive (systolic BP at or over 140 mmHg, diastolic BP at or over 90 mmHg, or taking medications for hypertension). The prevalence of hypertension was nearly equal between men and women.

Wear It Well: Women and Heart Disease Prevention (2/1/08)
Wear red in February for American Heart Month to help raise awareness about heart disease, and take steps to lower your risk.

Prevalence of Heart Disease- United States, 2005 (3/5/07)
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5606a2.htm
PDF
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/PDF/wk/mm5606.pdf
To estimate the prevalence of myocardial infarction (MI) and angina/coronary heart disease (CHD) in each of the 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, CDC analyzed self-reported data from the 2005 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System. This report summarizes the results of that analysis and provides the first state-based prevalence estimates of these heart diseases. The results indicated that substantial geographic, racial/ethnic, educational, and sex disparities existed in the prevalence of MI and angina/CHD. Men had a significantly higher prevalence of MI history than women, angina/CHD, and one or more of these conditions.

National Wear Red Day, Friday, February 2, 2007
http://www.cdc.gov/dhdsp/announcements/american_heart_month.htm
Wear red to promote awareness of heart disease being the number one killer of women. Steps to a healthy heart include preventing or controlling risk factors like smoking, high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol, overweight/obesity, physical inactivity, and diabetes. For more information, visit the National Institutes of Health and American Heart Association.

Successful Business Strategies to Prevent Heart Disease and Stroke Toolkit
http://www.cdc.gov/dhdsp/library/toolkit/
This toolkit provides information, materials, and tools that state programs can reference and distribute to businesses, primarily through employer and professional organizations. The toolkit also assists state programs in addressing several cardiovascular health priority areas.

Preventing and Controlling High Blood Pressure (9/19/06)
http://www.cdc.gov/bloodpressure/prevention.htm
There are several things you can do to keep your blood pressure at a healthy level. These actions should become part of your regular lifestyle. Discuss with your health care provider the best ways for you to address your blood pressure.

WISEWOMAN Briefing Document  (6/19/06)
http://www.cdc.gov/wisewoman/pdf/briefing_document.pdf
This document provides information about how WISEWOMAN works, why WISEWOMAN is a wise investment, opportunities resulting from WISEWOMAN, and more.

Women and Heart Disease Fact Sheet (3/30/06)
http://www.cdc.gov/dhdsp/library/fs_women_heart.htm
Although heart disease is sometimes thought of as a "man's disease," it is the leading cause of death for both women and men in the United States, with women comprising 51% of the total heart disease deaths.

Smoking among Women: Cardiovascular Disease and Stroke (2/30/06)
http://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/factsheets/Cardiovascular.htm
This fact sheet provides data on cigarette smoking and women, cardiovascular disease and stroke, and quitting smoking and attempts to quit. 

Identifying Best Practices for WISEWOMAN Programs Using a Mixed-Methods Evaluation (12/30/05)
http://www.cdc.gov/pcd/issues/2006/jan/05_0133.htm
This article describes an evaluation that identifies best practices in implementing lifestyle interventions in the CDC’s WISEWOMAN program and discusses lessons learned in using the approach.

Trends in Cholesterol Screening and Awareness of High Blood Cholesterol- United States, 1991-2003 (10/30/05)
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5435a2.htm
PDF
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/PDF/wk/mm5435.pdf
Data from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System collected during 1991-2003 were analyzed to examine trends in the percentage of adults screened for high blood cholesterol (HBC) and the percentage of those screened who were told they had HBC. During 1991-2003, the prevalence of cholesterol screening during the preceding 5 years and the percentage of persons screened who were told they had HBC increased overall and among all age, sex, and racial/ethnic groups. The percentage of those screened within 5 years increased from 67.6% in 1991 to 73.1% in 2003. Although the prevalence of cholesterol screening within 5 years was higher among women than men in all years represented, the percentage change in prevalence was smaller for women than men.

Moving into Action: Promoting Heart–Healthy and Stroke–Free Communities (10/30/05)
http://www.cdc.gov/dhdsp/library/moving_into_action/order.htm
Moving into Action is a series of action items designed to help governors, state legislators, local officials, employers, and health care leaders promote heart–healthy and stroke–free communities. Each item suggests ways to encourage general interest and awareness of these health issues to specific policies that promote healthy behaviors and reduce risks associated with heart disease and stroke. Included are examples gathered from states and communities that are working to reduce these risks and a summary of the science underlying heart disease and stroke prevention.

Sex Differences in Stroke Recovery (6/30/05)
http://www.cdc.gov/pcd/issues/2005/jul/04_0137.htm
PDF
http://www.cdc.gov/pcd/issues/2005/jul/pdf/04_0137.pdf
This study examined differences between men and women in the ability to perform basic activities of daily living, instrumental activities of daily living, and higher physical functioning after stroke. The objective of the study was to determine whether sex differences in stroke recovery can be explained by depressive status beyond older age, stroke severity, pre-stroke physical functioning, and other medical co-morbidities. A total of 459 stroke patients were recruited from acute and sub-acute facilities in an urban midwestern community. Lower recovery of activities of daily living and physical functioning in women after stroke may be due to multi-factorial effects of older age, poor physical function prior to stroke onset, and depressive status after stroke.

Evaluation of Salud Para Su Coraz髇 (Health for Your Heart)- National Council of La Raza Promotora Outreach Program (6/30/05)
http://www.cdc.gov/pcd/issues/2005/jul/04_0130.htm
PDF
http://www.cdc.gov/pcd/issues/2005/jul/pdf/04_0130.pdf
In 2001, the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute partnered with the National Council of La Raza to conduct a pilot test of its community-based outreach program Salud Para Su Coraz髇 (Health for Your Heart), which aims to reduce the burden of morbidity and mortality associated with cardiovascular disease among Latinos. The effectiveness of promotores de salud (community health workers) in improving heart-healthy behaviors among Latino families participating in the pilot program at seven sites was evaluated. Results demonstrated the effectiveness of the promotora model in improving heart-healthy behaviors, promoting community referrals and screenings, enhancing information sharing beyond families, and satisfying participants� expectations of the program.

WISEWOMAN Works: Volume 2- A Collection of Success Stories on Empowering Women to Stop Smoking (5/30/05)
http://www.cdc.gov/wisewoman/pdf/vol_2/success_stories_vol2.pdf
CDC highlights some of the ways the WISEWOMAN program is making a difference for women smokers. These stories will demonstrate how many communities have established strong partnerships, overcome cultural and geographic health barriers, and maximized resources to expand their reach.

Atlas of Heart Disease and Stroke among American Indians and Alaska Natives 2005 (5/30/05)
http://www.cdc.gov/media/pressrel/fs050517.htm
The Atlas of Heart Disease and Stroke among American Indians and Alaska Natives documents geographic disparities in heart disease and stroke mortality and risk factors among American Indians and Alaska Natives. The county-level maps of heart disease and stroke death rates indicate that, for American Indians and Alaska Natives, there is a nearly five-fold gap between counties with the highest and lowest rates of heart disease and stroke. High stroke death rates were found primarily in Northwestern counties and Alaska, while high heart disease death rates were located largely in the counties of the northern plains.

Prevention Works: CDC Strategies for a Heart朒ealthy and Stroke朏ree America (2/28/05)
http://www.cdc.gov/dhdsp/library/prevention_works/funding_map_text.htm
This briefing document is intended to provide a snapshot of heart disease and stroke prevention at CDC. The document provides information on the health and economic costs of chronic diseases to our nation and outlines CDC's prevention strategies. This document describes CDC's central strategies which include a focus on high blood pressure and cholesterol control, signs and symptoms, improving emergency response, improving quality of care, and eliminating health disparities between population groups.

Disparities in Screening for and Awareness of High Blood Cholesterol � United States, 1999-2002 (2/28/05)
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5405a2.htm
PDF (p. 117)
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/PDF/wk/mm5405.pdf
To assess racial/ethnic and other disparities among persons who were screened for high blood cholesterol during the preceding 5 years and among persons who were aware of their high blood cholesterol, CDC analyzed data from the 1999-2000 and 2001-2002 National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys. This report summarizes the results of that analysis, which indicated that Mexican Americans, blacks, and younger adults were less likely to be screened for high blood cholesterol, and persons in those populations who had high cholesterol were less likely to be aware of their condition. Although women participants were more likely than men to have had their cholesterol checked during the preceding 5 years, those women whose test results indicated high cholesterol or who were on cholesterol-lowering medication were less likely than men to be aware of their high cholesterol condition. A previous study determined that women were only half as likely as men to have their total blood cholesterol controlled at <200 mg/dL, the level considered desirable.

Racial/Ethnic Disparities in Prevalence, Treatment, and Control of Hypertension- United States, 1999-2002 (1/30/05)
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5401a3.htm
PDF (p. 7)
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/PDF/wk/mm5401.pdf
CDC analyzed data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys for 1999-2002. This report summarizes the results of that analysis, which determined that racial/ethnic disparities in awareness of, treatment for, and control of hypertension persist. The prevalence of hypertension increased with age and was higher among women than men. The proportion who were aware of having a high blood pressure (BP) was greater among those aged >40 years, and the proportion was higher among women than men. Percentages of those treated for HBP were higher among women than men and increased with age.

The Atlas of Heart Disease and Stroke (11/30/04)
http://www.cdc.gov/dhdsp/library/maps/cvdatlas/index.htm
The CDC collaborated with the World Health Organization to produce this atlas. The atlas addresses the global epidemic of heart disease and stroke in six sections: cardiovascular disease; risk factors; the burden; action; the future and the past; and world tables.

Implication of an AGT Haplotype in a Multigene Association Study with Pregnancy Hypertension (4/30/04)
http://www.cdc.gov/genomics/hugenet/ejournal/AGT.htm
This study addressed two main purposes: to validate previously published associations related to preeclampsia and chronic essential hypertension by examining ten different polymorphisms in nine genes, from nine different studies; and to determine whether polymorphisms previously found to be associated with preeclampsia are associated with essential hypertension and vice versa.

Disparities in Premature Deaths from Heart Disease- 50 States and the District of Columbia, 2001 (2/20/04)
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5306a2.htm
PDF
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/PDF/wk/mm5306.pdf
To better understand these disparities, CDC analyzed death certificate data for premature deaths from heart disease occurring in 2001. This report summarizes the results of that analysis, which indicated that the proportion of premature heart disease deaths varied by state and was higher among blacks, American Indians/Alaska Natives (AI/ANs), Asians/Pacific Islanders (A/PIs), and Hispanics. Premature death was higher for Hispanics (23.5%) than non-Hispanics (16.5%), and for males (24.0%) than females (10.0%). The proportions of premature heart disease deaths ranged from 12.4% in Rhode Island to 35.7% in Alaska. The 10 areas with the highest proportions were Alaska (35.7%), Nevada (25.4%), Georgia (23.9%), South Carolina (23.8%), Louisiana (22.9%), DC (21.5%), Alabama (21.4%), Tennessee (21.3%), Mississippi (20.7%), and Texas (20.5%). Among males, proportions were highest in Alaska (41.8%) and lowest in North Dakota (18.6%); among females, proportions were highest in Alaska (26.0%) and lowest in South Dakota (6.3%).

Declining Prevalence of No Known Major Risk Factors for Heart Disease and Stroke Among Adults� United States, 1991-2001 (1/20/04)
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5301a2.htm
PDF (p. 4)
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/PDF/wk/mm5301.pdf
To assess changes in prevalence of no known risk factors for heart disease and stroke during 1991-2001, CDC analyzed data from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System. This report summarizes the results of that analysis, which indicate that prevalence of no known major risk factors is decreasing among men and women in nearly all states, racial/ethnic populations, age groups, and education levels. In addition, the prevalence of individual major risk factors is increasing. Men had a greater decline in prevalence of no known risk factors than women (6.6% versus 4.9%). During 1991--2001, the prevalence of reported high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, and obesity among U.S. adults increased, whereas the prevalence of smoking remained nearly the same. Of all U.S. deaths in 2001, heart disease accounted for 29.0% and stroke for 6.8%.

Receipt of Cardiac Rehabilitation Services Among Heart Attack Survivors-19 States and the District of Columbia, 2001 (11/10/03)
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5244a4.htm
PDF (p. 1072)
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/PDF/wk/mm5244.pdf
This report summarizes data on the prevalence of self-reported participation in cardiac rehabilitation services among persons in 19 states and the District of Columbia who have had a heart attack. The findings indicate that less than one third of these respondents have participated in cardiac rehabilitation. Men were more likely than women to report having received cardiac rehabilitation, as were persons aged 50-64 years compared with other age groups and those with more education compared with those with less. Including cardiac rehabilitation in all intervention plans for eligible patients with coronary heart disease remains a key strategy for reducing further disability.

Self-Reported Heart Disease and Stroke Among Adults With and Without Diabetes - United States, 1999-2001 (11/10/03)
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5244a2.htm
PDF
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/PDF/wk/mm5244.pdf
Fact Sheet
http://www.cdc.gov/media/pressrel/fs031106.htm
Data from the 1999-2001 National Health Interview Surveys indicate that the age-adjusted prevalence of reported heart disease and stroke is approximately two to three times greater among persons with diabetes than among persons without diabetes. Prevention of diabetes can decrease the prevalence of heart disease and stroke. Improved diet, weight loss, and increased physical activity can prevent or delay the onset of diabetes among adults with impaired glucose tolerance.

Cholesterol Status Among Adults in the United States
http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/nhanes/databriefs/adultcholesterol.pdf
NHANES III (1988�) measured serum total cholesterol, high-density-lipoproteins (HDL-C), and other cholesterol components in a representative sample of the civilian noninstitutionalized U.S. population 20 years of age and over. Serum cholesterol is an important risk factor in the identification and treatment of many diseases, especially heart disease, the leading cause of death in the United States. About 20 percent of U.S. adults had high serum cholesterol levels. Only 13 percent or less of men 20� years of age have high serum cholesterol levels compared with more than 20 percent of men in the two older age groups (45-64, and 65 and over). About 10 percent or less of women 20� years of age have high serum cholesterol levels compared with more than 30 percent of women in the two older age groups. HDL-C may help to protect an individual from developing heart disease, and very low levels of HDL-C indicate that the individual is lacking his or her natural protection against heart disease. A higher percentage of men had low HDL-C levels than women.

Public Health and Aging: Hospitalizations for Stroke Among Adults Aged >65 Years - United States, 2000
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5225a3.htm
PDF (p. 586)
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/PDF/wk/mm5225.pdf
This report summarizes the results of a CDC analysis of Medicare hospital claims for persons with stroke during 2000 for the 50 states and the District of Columbia. The report indicates that geographic variation exists in both rates of hospitalization for stroke and patient discharge status. During 2000, a total of 445,452 hospitalizations among Medicare enrollees were attributed to stroke, resulting in an age-adjusted rate of 16.3 per 1,000 enrollees. Stroke hospitalization rates increased with age and were higher among men than women and among blacks than whites. The majority of hospitalizations for stroke resulted in discharge to home (50.3%), followed by discharge to a skilled nursing facility (21.0%), discharge to another facility (19.6%), and death (8.7%). Higher proportions of women and blacks were discharged to either a skilled nursing facility or other facility than men or whites, respectively. Reducing the burden of stroke in the United States will require primary prevention and control of risk factors, public education, early evaluation and treatment of persons with acute stroke, and effective secondary prevention among persons living with stroke.

A Public Health Action Plan to Prevent Heart Disease and Stroke
http://www.cdc.gov/dhdsp/library/action_plan/pdfs/action_plan_full.pdf
The purpose of the plan is to chart a course for the CDC and collaborating public health agencies, with all interested partners and the public at large, to help in promoting achievement of national goals for preventing heart disease and stroke over the next two decades--through 2020 and beyond. The five essential components of this plan are taking action, strengthening capacity, evaluating impact, advancing policy, and engaging in regional and global partnerships. Cardiovascular disease causes more deaths among women. In 2000, cardiovascular disease was responsible for 505,661 deaths among U.S. women and 440,175 deaths among U.S. men.

WISEWOMAN Works: A Collection of Success Stories From Program Inception Through 2002
http://www.cdc.gov/wisewoman/publications.htm
The document highlights some of the ways that CDC-funded WISEWOMAN Projects are making a difference for financially disadvantaged women participants. The 12 stories within WISEWOMAN Works are examples of four strategies that build strong WISEWOMAN projects: expanding access, reaching culturally diverse women, women helping women, and developing partnerships. Through success stories, WISEWOMAN Works provides a method for health professionals to share information about grassroots level efforts to promote the health of women in need. By including sections on how to use success stories, writing your own success stories, and adapting your stories for multiple purposes, WISEWOMAN Works provides technical assistance to help health professionals capture success stories.

Public Health and Aging: Atrial Fibrillation as a Contributing Cause of Death and Medicare Hospitalization - United States, 1999
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5207a2.htm
PDF (p. 128)
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/PDF/wk/mm5207.pdf
One of the major risk factors for stroke is atrial fibrillation (AF), a common cardiac disorder characterized by cardiac arrhythmia and the absence of coordinated contractions, which increases the risk for blood stasis, clot formation, and embolic stroke. AF affects approximately 2.2 million adults in the United States and is the most common sustained heart rhythm disturbance observed in clinical practice. The rate of AF increases with age, from <1% among persons aged <60 years to approximately 10% among persons aged >80 years. Age-adjusted death rates for AF were highest among whites (25.7) and blacks (16.4) and higher for men (34.7) than women (22.8). In 1999, a total of 1,765,304 hospitalizations (137.1 per 1,000 Medicare enrollees) were reported among persons with AF in the Medicare population. Rates increased among successive age groups. The rate of hospitalization among persons with AF was higher among whites (142.7) than among blacks (100.4). Although 55.7% of these hospitalizations were among women, men (162.9) had a higher rate of AF-related hospitalization than women (121.2). Stroke is the leading cause in the United States of serious long-term disability and the third leading cause of death.

Atlas of Stroke Mortality: Racial, Ethnic and Geographic Disparities in the United States
http://www.cdc.gov/dhdsp/library/maps/strokeatlas/index.htm
This report provides, for the first time, an extensive series of national and state maps that show local disparities in stroke death rates for the five largest racial/ethnic groups in the United States. The maps provide health-care professionals and concerned persons with county-level maps of stroke mortality that are essential for tailoring stroke-prevention policies and programs to the needs of communities. During 1991-1998, the age-adjusted death rate for stroke was 117/100,000 for women and 126/100,000 for men ages 35 and older. For both women and men, stroke is the third leading cause of death in the United States, preceded by heart disease and cancer. The maps of age-adjusted, spatially smoothed stroke death rates for women and men show considerable geographic disparity. For women, county death rates ranged from 58 to 226/100,000. The range for men was 60 to 258/100,000.

Facts and Tools Every Woman Can Use
http://www.cdc.gov/wisewoman/resources.htm
This section is designed by women, for women, to provide you with helpful information and tools you can use to reduce your risk factors for heart disease. Here you will find calculators, heart health quizzes, recipes, and other useful information. You will also find links to Web sites loaded with science-based yet practical information. From the WISEWOMAN web page.

High Blood Pressure Fact Sheet
http://www.cdc.gov/dhdsp/library/fs_bloodpressure.htm
Among people with high blood pressure, 31.6 percent don't even know they have it. About 1 in 4 American adults have high blood pressure. High blood pressure affects about 1 in 3 African Americans, 1 in 5 Hispanics and Native Americans, and 1 in 6 Asians/Pacific Islanders. High blood pressure increases the risk for heart disease and stroke.

Cholesterol Fact Sheet
http://www.cdc.gov/dhdsp/library/fs_cholesterol.htm
Studies among people without heart disease have shown that lowering cholesterol can reduce the risk for developing heart disease, including heart attacks and deaths related to heart disease. Cholesterol, a waxy, fat-like substance found in the body, is needed for the body to function normally. When there is too much cholesterol in the body�/span>because of diet and the rate at which the cholesterol is processed�/span>it is deposited in arteries, including those of the heart, which can lead to narrowing of the arteries and heart disease.

State-Specific Mortality from Stroke and Distribution of Place of Death -United States, 1999
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5120a1.htm
PDF
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/PDF/wk/mm5120.pdf
Telebriefing
http://www.cdc.gov/media/transcripts/t020523.htm
This report presents national and state-specific death rates for stroke in 1999, which indicate state-by-state variations in both stroke-related death rates and the proportions of stroke decedents who die before transport to an emergency department. By race/ethnicity, the highest age-adjusted death rates for stroke occurred among blacks followed by whites (225.2 and 166.7 per 100,000 population, respectively). Age-adjusted death rates for stroke were slightly higher among men (62.4) than among women (60.5). The proportion of pretransport deaths was higher among women (52.2%) than among men (40.3%) and higher among whites (50.1%) than among other racial/ethnic populations. In the United States, stroke is the third leading cause of death and one of the major causes of serious, long-term disability among adults. Each year, approximately 500,000 persons suffer a first-time stroke, and approximately 167,000 deaths are stroke-related. Prevention through public and medical education remains a key strategy for reducing stroke-related deaths and disability. High blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, and smoking remain the major risk factors for stroke.

WISEWOMAN - Well-Integrated Screening and Evaluation for Women Across the Nation
http://www.cdc.gov/wisewoman/
Check out the new WISEWOMAN Web site to get more information on this cardiovascular risk factor screening and lifestyle intervention demonstration program.

State-Specific Mortality from Sudden Cardiac Death - United States, 1999
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5106a3.htm
PDF (p. 123)
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/PDF/wk/mm5106.pdf
Press Release
http://www.cdc.gov/media/pressrel/r020215.htm
Each year in the United States, 400,000-460,000 persons die of unexpected sudden cardiac death (SCD) in an emergency department (ED) or before reaching a hospital. Based on the latest U.S. mortality data, this report summarizes and analyzes 1999 national and state-specific SCD data. Women had a higher total number of cardiac deaths and higher proportion of out-of-hospital cardiac deaths than men (51.9% of 375,243 and 41.7% of 353,500, respectively), and men had a higher proportion of cardiac deaths that occurred in an ED or were dead on arrival (21.2% of 353,500 and 12.0% of 375,243, respectively). Blacks had the highest age-adjusted rates (253.6 in men and 175.3 in women) followed by whites (204.5 in men and 138.4 in women), American Indians/Alaska Natives (132.7 in men and 76.6 in women), and Asians/Pacific Islanders (111.5 in men and 66.5 in women).

Major Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) During 1997-1999 and Major CVD Hospital Discharge Rates in 1997 among Women with Diabetes - United States
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5043a2.htm
PDF (p. 948)
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/PDF/wk/mm5043.pdf
Findings indicate that the age-adjusted prevalence of major CVD for women with diabetes is twice that for women without diabetes and that the age-adjusted major CVD hospital discharge rate for women with diabetes is almost four times the rate for women without diabetes. These findings underscore the need to reduce risk factors associated with CVD among all women with diabetes through focused public health and clinical efforts. CVD is the leading cause of death among all women and the risk for death from CVD among women with diabetes is two to four times higher than that for women without diabetes.

Women & Heart Disease: An Atlas of Racial/Ethnic Disparities in Mortality (Second Edition)
http://www.cdc.gov/dhdsp/library/maps/cvdatlas/atlas_womens/womens_download.htm
CDC has released a second edition of this publication, with corrected national and state maps of heart disease mortality among Black women. For this reason, we are advising readers to consult and cite only the second edition for information about heart disease mortality in Black women. The second edition of Women and Heart Disease also includes an updated and expanded version of the heart disease resource information in Appendix B and corrections of minor typographical errors that appeared in the original edition.

Sudden Cardiac Deaths Increasing in Young People, Especially Young Women (Press Release)
http://www.cdc.gov/media/pressrel/r010301.htm
Yearly death totals of sudden cardiac death (SCD) in people between the ages of 15 and 34 rose 10% overall during the past decade - from 2,719 in 1989 to 3,000 in 1996, according to data presented by researchers from the CDC during the American Heart Association's 41st Annual Conference on Cardiovascular Disease Epidemiology and Prevention, in San Antonio, Texas. Alarmingly, although the numbers are very small, the SCD death rate increased by 30% in young women. Death rates were also higher among young African-Americans than whites. Lifestyle changes, plus early identification of risk and prompt attention when signs of heart distress are recognized, could help reduce SCD in people ages 15-34.

Mortality From Coronary Heart Disease & Acute Myocardial Infarction - United States, 1998
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5006a2.htm
PDF
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/PDF/wk/mm5006.pdf
Despite improved clinical care, heightened public awareness, and widespread use of health innovations, coronary heart disease (CHD) remains the leading cause of death in the United States, and the decline in rates from CHD that began during the 1960s slowed during the 1990s. This report provides national and state-specific death rates for CHD and for acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Black women had the highest death rates for CHD (301.9) and AMI (140.4), followed by white (263.8 and 113.2 for CHD and AMI, respectively), American Indian/Alaska Native, (160.2 and 69.3 for CHD and AMI, respectively) and Asian/Pacific Islander (148.1 and 62.2 for CHD and AMI, respectively) women. During 2001, approximately 1.1 million persons are expected to have a CHD event. Prevention remains the key strategy for reducing CHD mortality.

Heart Disease and Stroke: Women抯 Health Topics A-Z
http://www.cdc.gov/women/az/hrtstrk.htm
View women抯 health resources related to heart disease.

Atlases of Heart Disease and Stroke
http://www.cdc.gov/dhdsp/library/publications.htm#1
These maps highlight both substantial racial and ethnic disparities in heart disease and the marked geographic disparities in the burden of heart disease that exist within each race and ethnicity group.

Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention
http://www.cdc.gov/dhdsp/index.htm
Learn more about heart disease and stroke prevention.

Eliminate Disparities in Cardiovascular Disease (CVD)
http://www.cdc.gov/omh/AMH/factsheets/cardio.htm
Overall, minority and low-income populations have a disproportionate burden of death and disability from CVD. Learn more.

Fact Sheets: Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention
http://www.cdc.gov/dhdsp/library/fact_sheets.htm
View a list links to fact sheets on a variety of topics related to cardiovascular health, including high blood pressure, signs and symptoms of heart attack and stroke, cholesterol, and more.

Fast Stats A-Z: Heart Disease Statistics
http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/heart.htm
View data and statistics on heart disease.

Fast Stats A-Z: Stroke/Cerebrovascular Disease Statistics
http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/stroke.htm
View data and statistics on stroke/cerebrovascular disease.

Heart Disease and Stroke
http://www.cdc.gov/washington/overview/heartstk.htm
Heart disease and stroke are, respectively, the first and third leading causes of death in the United States. They are the principal causes of death due to cardiovascular disease (CVD) and are major causes of disability among all racial and ethnic groups. Learn more.

Heart Disease and Stroke Maps
http://www.cdc.gov/dhdsp/library/maps/index.htm
This site offers interactive maps that present heart disease and stroke mortality rates, county-by-county, for the state, racial/ethnic group, and gender of your choice.

Signs and Symptoms of a Heart Attack
http://www.cdc.gov/dhdsp/library/fs_heartattack.htm
Learn the signs and symptoms of a heart attack.

Signs and Symptoms of a Stroke
http://www.cdc.gov/dhdsp/library/fs_strokesigns.htm
Learn the signs and symptoms of a stroke.

WISEWOMAN - Well-Integrated Screening and Evaluation for Women Across the Nation
http://www.cdc.gov/wisewoman/
This mission of this program is to provide low-income, under- or uninsured 40- to 64-year-old women with the knowledge, skills, and opportunities to improve diet, physical activity, and other lifestyle behaviors to prevent, delay and control cardiovascular and other chronic diseases.

Work-Related Cardiovascular Diseases: Programs in Brief
http://www.cdc.gov/programs/workpl16.htm
Learn more about work-related cardiovascular diseases, CDC/ATSDR抯 activities and achievements, and steps for moving forward.

National Wear Red Day
http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/hearttruth/ (Non-CDC site)
Learn more about awareness for women and heart disease.

National Woman抯 Heart Day
http://www.womansheartday.org/ (Non-CDC site)
Do you know that women's heart disease is the number one killer of women in the United States? One out of every three women will die of heart disease. That's the bad news卋ut, the good news is that women's heart disease is often preventable. Learn more.

This site contains documents in PDF format. You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to access the file. If you do not have the Acrobat Reader, you may download a free copy from the Adobe Web site.
 

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This page last reviewed January 29, 2008
URL: http://www.cdc.gov/women/pubs/hrtstrk.htm

US Department of Health and Human Services
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Office of Women's Health