Cardiovascular Health in New York State
New York State Department of Health
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Cardiovascular Disease: New York's Leading Killer
Among both men and women, and across all racial and ethnic groups, cardiovascular disease is New York's leading killer. In 2002, more than 67,700 New Yorkers died of cardiovascular disease, accounting for 43% of all deaths. New York ranks first in the Nation in deaths due to ischemic heart disease.
Cardiovascular Disease: Addressing the State's Leading Cause of Death
Cardiovascular disease (CVD), specifically heart disease and stroke, kills more New Yorkers than any other condition. In 2002, CVD caused more deaths than all cancers and HIV/AIDS combined. Among both men and women and across all racial and ethnic groups, CVD is New York's leading killer. There is a common misconception that heart disease is mainly a problem for men. While the premature mortality rate is higher in men, more women than men have died from heart disease in every year since 1984 and this trend is increasing. New York ranks 16th in the United States in age- adjusted deaths due to CVD. In 2002, the estimated direct (medical care) and indirect (lost productivity) cost of cardiovascular disease in New York was almost $16 billion. This is approximately $860 for each person in New York.
The health burden of CVD is matched by its economic burden. More than 20, 000 coronary artery bypass surgeries are performed each year in the state, with a mean cost of approximately $32,000. A person with heart disease has substantial medical expenses for diagnostic tests, surgeries, hospital and doctor visits, physical therapy and drugs. A conservative estimate of the cost of treating one person with heart disease over 20 years is $121, 200. For those needing special procedures and on- going care, the costs can be more than $4. 8 million over a lifetime (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention). The use of advanced surgeries and new treatments, while often effective in delaying death from CVD, will continue to increase the financial impact of the disease in the years ahead. The personal pain and suffering caused by CVD to New Yorkers and its impact on families is beyond measure.
Despite these facts, there is good news in New York State (NYS). Public attention to heart disease and stroke has grown steadily over the past decade. There is clarity about risk factors for CVD and stroke and how individuals and communities can lower their risks. The NYS Health Department and a network of partner agencies and colleagues around the state are making significant progress in reducing CVD risk factors. Our aim is to decrease tobacco use, increase daily physical activity, increase consumption of fruits, vegetables, and low- fat milk, and reduce high blood pressure.