Cardiovascular Diseases

Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) is the leading cause of mortality in the developed world. In the United State, there are approximately 1 million deaths attributable to CVD each year. Among CVD deaths 51% are due to coronary artery diseases (CAD), 27% are due to other heart conditions (including heart failure), 16% are due to stroke, 4% are due to vascular disease. Recently mortality data indicate that CAD accounts for about one half million deaths each year in the US, ranking it number one among causes of death. Hypertension, dyslipidemia and smoking are common in the US population and also are the three greatest contributors to the excess risk for atherosclerotic CVD. A population-wide approach as well as a targeted approach to risk factor intervention will be necessary to achieve the greatest impact on the reduction of CVD risk, both on an individual level and on a population-wide scale.

So why is coronary heart disease the single major cause of death and stroke the No. 3 killer in the U.S.?

One reason is undeniably a lack of commitment to a heart- healthy lifestyle. Your lifestyle is not only your best defense against heart disease and stroke, it’s also your personal responsibility. A heart-healthy lifestyle includes the ideas listed in the heart below. By following these three simple steps you can reduce all of the modifiable risk factors for heart disease, heart attack, and stroke including:

The Atlanta Heart Center‘s physicians continue their goal of serving the community by offering the expertise of highly trained personnel, not only in the treatment but also in the prevention of CVD, in a compassionate and caring setting.