Heart disease is the the leading cause of death in Southwest Georgia, the state and the country. And many Southwest Georgia residents on the fast track to heart disease don’t know their risk factors or how to modify them.

Cardiovascular disease includes stroke, hypertension, atherosclerosis, heart attacks and diseases of the heart and blood vessels.

“Georgia has one of the highest death rates of cardiovascular disease in the United States, roughly 9 percent higher than the national rate,” said Southwest Public Health District Director Dr. Jacqueline Grant. “However, it is in our power to do something about that. February - American Heart Month - is a good time to emphasize that message.”

It is important everyone learn the seven modifiable risk factors for cardiovascular disease: smoking, lack of physical activity, poor eating habits, obesity, high blood pressure, diabetes and high cholesterol.

The most recent Georgia Data Summary of Cardiovascular Disease reveals nearly 2.3 million Georgians don’t

know the risk factors.

“Also, many people don’t realize the economic toll cardiovascular disease takes,” district health coordinator David Cooper noted. “The most recent statistics we have are from 2007, when it resulted in 144,000 hospitalizations in Georgia. The average hospital stay was five days. The estimated cost of cardiovascular disease in Georgia is $11.2 billion in direct healthcare costs and in lost productivity.”

“Approximately every 25 seconds, an American will suffer a coronary event, and approximately every minute, an American will die from one,” said Cooper. “The tragedy is compounded because we can do something to change that.”

Everyone regardless of age, gender, race or socioeconomic background can adopt healthy behaviors.

“Programs such as our Hooked on Health workplace initiative can help lower your risk of heart disease,” Grant said.

The Hooked on Health interactive program focuses on five categories of wellness behavior: being active, being positive, maintaining a healthy diet, avoiding tobacco products and getting checkups.

“Hooked on Health is available at no cost,” Grant said. “You don’t have to make big lifestyle changes all at once to see results. Even small changes in your behavior can improve your life and reduce your risk.”

For more information about heart disease or Hooked on Health, contact the Early County Health Department at 723-3707 or go online to www.southwestgeorgiapublichealth. org.