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Heart Disease and Stroke

The Cardiovascular Disease and Stroke Prevention Program, administered through the Chronic Disease Section of the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, is designed to reduce premature morbidity and mortality from cardiovascular disease and stroke and to promote healthy lifestyles for all Coloradans.

The Cardiovascular Health Coalition developed a 10-year strategic plan that helps to guide the efforts of the program. Current efforts focus on prevention, detection and management of high blood pressure and high cholesterol. In addition, the coalition educates health care professionals on the management of these risk factors while informing the public about the signs and symptoms of heart attack and stroke. Future efforts by the Coalition and its task forces will direct special efforts toward:

Collaborating with healthcare agencies, businesses, community organizations to promote cardiovascular health
Promoting policy changes which enhance cardiovascular health
Reducing heart attack and stroke in women
Training healthcare providers on current guidelines for heart attack and stroke treatment

Morbidity, mortality, and cardiovascular disease risk factor data are reviewed on an ongoing basis.

Issue/Subject Description

The Colorado Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention initiative is designed to reduce premature morbidity and mortality from cardiovascular disease and stroke and to promote healthy lifestyles for all Coloradans.

The Cardiovascular Health Coalition developed a 10-year strategic plan that helps guide the efforts of the program. Current efforts focus on prevention and detection and management of high blood pressure and high cholesterol. In addition, the coalition educates health care professionals on the management of these risk factors while informing the public about the signs and symptoms of heart attack and stroke.

Future efforts by the coalition and its task forces include collaborating with healthcare agencies, businesses and community organizations to promote cardiovascular health; promoting policy changes which enhance cardiovascular health; reducing heart attack and stroke in women; and training healthcare providers on current guidelines for heart attack and stroke treatment.

Increase the number of adults who have their high blood pressure under control.
Increase the number of adults who are have their blood cholesterol under control.
Increase the number of adults who are aware of the signs of heart attack.

Risk Factors

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Health Complications

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Recommendations

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Management/Resources

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Data/Publications

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in Colorado. On average one Coloradan dies every hour due to cardiovascular disease.
Cardiovascular Disease is a broad diagnosis category that encompasses ischemic heart disease (heart attack), stroke, heart failure, hypertensive heart disease as well as diseases of the arteries, veins and circulatory systems.
In 2002, cardiovascular disease (CVD) caused 9,325 deaths, accounting for 32 percent of all deaths in the state.
Of all deaths in Colorado, 6,403 (22 percent) were due to heart disease, the leading cause of death in Colorado; 1,907 (6.5 percent) were due to stroke, the third leading cause of death in Colorado; and 1,015 (3.5 percent) were due to heart failure, hypertensive heart disease, and diseases of the arteries, veins and circulatory systems.
Major Cardiovascular Disease - Mortality Rates by Colorado Counties (2002-2006)

Additional cardiovascular disease and stroke statistics:

Partners/Additional Information/External Links