According to the American Heart Association, an average of one person dies from cardiovascular disease every 39 seconds. That figure raises the question, “what can be done to improve mortality rates in the US?” Fortunately, the answers are available and require little more than commitment to make lifestyle changes supporting wellness.
Taken from AHA’s website (www.heart.org), the following statistics are true for Americans:
Cardiovascular/Stroke Statistics (American Heart Association Statistical Supplement):
– Based on 2007 mortality data, more than 2,200 Americans die of cardiovascular disease each day, an average of one death every 39 seconds.
– Each year, about 795,000 people experience a new or recurrent stroke.
– Data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2005-2008 indicate that 33.5 percent of U.S. adults 20 years and older have high blood pressure.
– Despite four decades of progress, among Americans 18 years and older, 23.1 percent of men and 18.1 percent of women continued to be cigarette smokers in 2009.
– Among U.S. adults, 33.7 percent are obese.
– Thirty-three percent of adults engage in no regular leisure time activity.
Creating a plan under your physician’s supervision will allow small changes to take place in behavior and habits which can make the difference individually, decreasing the statistics above overall. Staying motivated is the key.
Education in Basic Life Support (BLS) skills taken from AHA approved providers will enable the first responder to provide life-saving intervention for the victim of sudden cardiac arrest. Motivation to change a life toward wellness and being prepared to respond to others in need is a positive step. Join hundreds of others who have chosen to make a difference!
