What are Cardiovascular Diseases

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Cardiovascular disease, also known as heart disease, includes a number of conditions affecting the structures or functions of the heart. They include; coronary artery disease, heart attack, heart failure, and stroke (CDC, 2013). In the United States, CVD is the number one killer in men and women (CDC, 2013), and it is also the cause of disability in American adults. In the U.S. alone, about 62 million people live with some form of heart disease, and about 600,000 people die of heart disease every year (CDC, 2013).
In the state of Maryland, the rate of deaths caused by heart disease in 2009 was about 11,143 (DHMH, 2011), though majority of these deaths were men, the difference between the deaths in men and women was not much. Among women living in Maryland, heart disease accounts for about 31.6% of deaths recorded (DHMH, 2011), with an average of 19 deaths per day in women (American Heart Association, 2010). About 59.0% of women living in Maryland are either obese or overweight, and 13.4% are also smokers (DHMH, 2011), while obesity and smoking are leading factors of CVD in Maryland.
Prince Georges County is located close to the Washington Dc area, and it is also one of the most culturally diverse counties in the state of Maryland. Majority of people living in the county are people of color, with people of African descent being majority. Compared to neighboring counties; Montgomery and Howard County, Prince George’s county has the highest rates of deaths, and disabilities caused by CVD (CDC, 2013). Also, residents of the county are more likely to be obese and overweight, and there is also a shortage of primary care physicians in the area. There is also a huge gap of racial disparities in Prince Georges County.
In Prince George’s...

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...nty includes, high blood cholesterol, high blood pressure, overweight/obesity, inadequate physical activity, smoking status (current and former smokers) and poor nutrition. In Maryland, about 36.9% of residents reported prevalence in high cholesterol levels, about 36.7% overweight or obese, which is related to an inactive lifestyle and poor nutrition (DHMH, 2011).
Heart disease in women is preventable if certain measures and precautions can be taken. Reducing sodium intake in food can reduce the chances of CVD. According to the CDC, about “90% of Americans eat more sodium than is recommended for a healthy diet” (CDC, 2013). Choosing a diet less in sodium, reading the nutrition facts label while shopping, consumption of fruits and vegetables, being physically active, regular doctor visits and also knowing one’s risks ahead of time are ways to prevent heart disease.

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