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Pennsylvania Health Secretary Celebrates Heart Health Month; Heart Disease Remains Leading Cause of Death Among Pennsylvanians

Posted on: Tuesday, 1 February 2005, 12:00 CST

HARRISBURG, Pa., Feb. 1 /PRNewswire/ -- In celebration of Heart Health Month, Health Secretary Dr. Calvin B. Johnson today reminded Pennsylvanians that there is still much work to do in preventing the risk of heart disease, which remains the leading cause of death for Pennsylvanians.

"Heart disease is the number one cause of death in Pennsylvania, making it a serious issue regardless of if you are high risk or not," said Dr. Johnson. "Pennsylvanians can reduce their risk of heart disease by practicing healthy habits such as eating right, performing regular physical activity and not using tobacco."

Heart disease is any infliction that impairs the structure or function of the heart. Some of the associated health problems that trigger heart disease are high cholesterol, high blood pressure, diabetes and being overweight or obese.

Heart disease is caused by both uncontrollable risk factors, such as age, gender, and family medical history, as well as by controllable risk factors that can be changed and controlled through diet, physical activity and not using tobacco. Controllable risk factors include high blood cholesterol, high blood pressure (hypertension), type 2 diabetes, and overweight/obesity. Having one or more uncontrollable risk factors does not mean a person will have a heart attack or stroke, and, with proper attention to those risk factors, people can reduce their impact.

To reduce personal/controllable risks of heart disease:

-- Eat a low-fat/high fiber diet that includes fruits and vegetables;

-- Lose weight if overweight or obese;

-- Increase daily physical activity;

-- Obtain regular physical exams by a medical provider;

-- Do not smoke.

In 2002 (the last full year for which data is available), more than 38,000 Pennsylvanians died from heart disease, the leading cause of death since 1930. Although heart disease can affect anyone, more heart disease deaths occurred in males (3,110) than in females (1,358) for ages 45-64, and for ages 65-84 (males - 9,634 / females - 8,662). However, the number of females who died from heart disease, ages 85 and older (10,305), was more than double that for males (4,448), ages 85 and older.

The median age at death from heart disease in blacks is 75.2 years, which is younger than in whites at 82.4 years.

For more information on heart disease prevention, contact the Department of Health at http://www.health.state.pa.us/ or call 1-877 PA HEALTH.

CONTACT: Richard McGarvey, Pennsylvania Department of Health, +1-717-787-1783.

Pennsylvania Department of Health

CONTACT: Richard McGarvey, Pennsylvania Department of Health,+1-717-787-1783

Web site: http://www.state.pa.us/http://www.health.state.pa.us/

Source: PRNewswire

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