Heart disease and stroke are the 1st and 4th leading causes of death for Idahoans.  However, it does not have to be this way.  Heart disease and stroke are often avoidable. 

All Idahoans at any age can take steps to reduce their personal risk for heart disease and stroke.  There are many risk factors for heart disease and stoke.  Some risk factors are not able to change such as family history, age, or gender.  However, many risk factors are changeable including high blood pressure and cholesterol, which are preventable and treatable.  The Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention Program is helping Idahoans to take steps to avoid heart disease and stroke in the future by adopting a healthy lifestyle today – don’t smoke, get regular exercise and eat healthy foods. 

The Cost of Heart Disease and Stroke

• More than 1 in 3 (80 million) U.S. adults currently live with one or more types of cardiovascular disease.
• An estimated 935,000 heart attacks and 795,000 strokes occur each year in the U.S.
• Americans make more than 72 million doctor visits every year for treatment and management of cardiovascular diseases.
• More than 7 million hospitalizations occur each year because of cardiovascular diseases.