KANSAS (December 19, 2013) – A new research study in the Journal of the American Heart Association reveals that Americans’ cardiovascular health varies greatly depending on what state they reside in. The study is the first to examine cardiovascular health at the state level.
- About two (2.2) percent of the Kansas population reported having ideal heart health – defined as having optimal levels of all seven factors.
- About 10 (9.6) percent of the Kansas population reported having poor cardiovascular health, with two or less heart-health factors at optimal levels.
In Missouri, the research found:
- About three (2.5) percent of the Missouri population reported having ideal heart health – defined as having optimal levels of all seven factors.
- About 11 (10.7) percent of the Missouri population reported having poor cardiovascular health, with two or less heart-health factors at optimal levels.
The percentage of the population reporting ideal cardiovascular health — defined as having optimal levels of all seven factors — was lowest in Oklahoma, West Virginia, and Mississippi and highest in Washington, D.C., Vermont and Virginia.
“This study shows that we still have work to do to improve heart health across America,” said Nancy Brown, CEO of the American Heart Association. “We must continue to advocate for stronger public health policies in every state to help people eat better, move more and breathe cleaner air. Healthier options reduce your chances of getting heart disease and stroke – it’s that simple.”
State laws that support heart health are critical to reaching the American Heart Association’s goal of dramatically improving the cardiovascular health of all Americans by 2020.
The study found that nationally about three percent of the total U.S. population believes they have achieved the American Heart Association’s definition of ideal heart health and 10 percent view themselves to be in poor cardiovascular health. Individuals that were 65 or older indicated the lowest percentage of ideal heart health while the 35-54 age group reported the highest percentage. Overall women fared better than men in the study.
The study, which was funded by The Centers for Disease Control, utilized data from the 2009 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, a telephone survey of more than 350,000 people in the all 50 states and Washington, D.C. The researchers collected information on the American Heart Association’s seven major heart-health factors: blood pressure, total cholesterol, smoking, body mass index, diabetes, physical activity, and fruit and vegetable consumption, which were used as a proxy measure in this study for a healthy diet.
Learn your heart health score and find out about the seven heart health factors at www.MyLifeCheck.heart.org.
