Department of Health Observes American Heart Month

Heart disease, stroke and other cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death both in Tennessee and across the country. The Department of Health is taking part in American Heart Month this February to raise awareness of cardiovascular disease and encourage all Tennesseans to learn more about its risk factors, warning signs and lifesaving emergency response techniques.

“We want people to learn how simple lifestyle changes can lower their risk for these deadly conditions, and take the necessary steps to improve their health,” said Health Commissioner Susan R. Cooper, MSN, RN “We also want to make everyone aware of the impact heart disease has on women. Many people think of heart disease as a man’s problem, but it’s the number one cause of death of both women and men in Tennessee.”

Heart attack, stroke and other cardiovascular diseases claim the lives of more than 20,000 Tennesseans each year. These diseases are responsible for the deaths of nearly one million Americans annually, an average of 2,500 deaths a day and one death every 35 seconds in United States. More women die from cardiovascular disease each year than men.

Cardiovascular disease accounted for more than 32 percent of all female deaths in Tennessee in 2006.  Heart disease alone is the leading cause of death in Tennessee, accounting for 7,055 female deaths in 2006, or 48 percent of the total number of heart disease deaths.  About 19 females a day died from heart disease in Tennessee in 2006.

During American Heart Month, the Tennessee Department of Health urges all Tennesseans to learn the warning signs of a heart attack and stroke and call 9-1-1 to seek prompt medical help and avoid complications any time heart attack and stroke are suspected. Heart attack symptoms may include chest discomfort, pressure or pain; discomfort in other upper body areas such as arms, back, neck, jaw or stomach; shortness of breath; breaking out in a cold sweat; nausea or lightheadedness. Warning signs of stroke include sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body; sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding; sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes; sudden trouble walking, dizziness or loss of balance or coordination; and sudden severe headache with no known cause.

Work sites are encouraged to train emergency response teams in cardiopulmonary resuscitation and support the placement of automated external defibrillators. These lifesaving techniques and devices provide care for heart attack victims until emergency personnel arrive to render professional care.

Many of the behaviors that can lead to heart disease such as obesity, lack of exercise and smoking, can be altered. Risk factors such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes can be also treated to help prevent heart disease and stroke.

The Department of Health has resources that can help reduce the risk for cardiovascular disease. To learn simple ways to improve fitness and fight obesity, visit the Get Fit Tennessee Web site at http://www.getfittn.com/. Be sure to see the new Get Fit Fitness Tracker for help with personal responsibility and accountability at http://www.getfittn.com/fitnesstracker/index.aspx. To learn about the Tennessee Tobacco QuitLine, a free counseling service to help you stop smoking, go to http://health.state.tn.us/tobaccoquitline.htm, or call 1-800-QUIT-NOW.

To learn more about the warning signs for heart attack, which may be different for women than for men, visit the American Heart Association Web site at http://www.americanheart.org.