CDC says half in U.S. have heart disease risk

William Atkins
Tuesday, 27 April 2010 23:36

Science - Health

According to an April 2010 report from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 45% of the people of the United States have at least 1 of 3 chronic conditions that raises one's risk for heart disease.

The three chronic conditions that raise the risk factors for heart disease are: high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes.

The data from this CDC study was collected from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.

The CDC states that these conditions may be either diagnosed or undiagnosed. The data shows:

'¢    45% of all Americans had 1 of these 3 conditions (either diagnosed or undiagnosed)
'¢    [15% of all Americans had 1 of these 3 conditions undiagnosed and 30% diagnosed]

 

'¢    13% of all Americans had 2 of these 3 conditions (either diagnosed or undiagnosed)

'¢    3% of all Americans had 3 of these 3 conditions (either diagnosed or undiagnosed)

The CDC states that heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States. And, these three serious conditions (high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes) are the major risk factors for getting heart disease

The April 26, 2010 WebMD article Many in U.S. Have at Least 1 Heart Risk Factor states, 'It is well known that high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes all increase the risk for cardiovascular disease, a condition that affects more than 81 million Americans and accounts for one out of every three deaths in the U.S.'

And, 'What is less known is the co-existence of these three conditions based on race/ethnicity, as well as the prevalence of diagnosed vs. undiagnosed high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes among these groups.'

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