· Cardiovascular Disease accounts for 38% of all deaths in Utah County Health District. Interventions targeting the preventable risk factors for Cardiovascular Disease such as physical inactivity and poor nutritional habits are the focus of the Utah County Cardiovascular program.
The number of people with diabetes in Utah County is 10,800 which is 2.8% of the population. People with diabetes are two to four times more likely to develop heart disease and stroke than people free from diabetes. The risk of developing diabetes may be reduced by improving health behaviors such as dietary patterns, physical activity and weight in high risk populations.
Today, in Utah, nearly 600,000 people are considered inactive. Because regular physical activity decreases the risk of chronic diseases, such as heart disease, stroke, cancer, and diabetes, a lack of physical activity contributes significantly to death and disability in Utah. (Utah Department of Health, Cardiovascular Health Program)
114, 240 Utahns report having had a first heart attack, stroke or a diagnosis of coronary heart disease or angina. (2000-2001 BRFSS, Utah Department of Health, Cardiovascular Health Program.)
*Call 851-7528 for more information about Cardiovascular Disease Prevention programs.
The Utah Department of Health began receiving funds from CDC in 1998 to support a state heart disease and stroke prevention program. The program received increased funding for basic implementation beginning in 2003.
Burden of Heart Disease and Stroke
- Heart disease is the leading cause of death in Utah, accounting for 2,977 deaths or approximately 23% of the state’s deaths in 2002. (National Vital Statistics Report 2004;53(5)).
- Stroke is the third leading cause of death, accounting for 903 deaths or approximately 7% of the state’s deaths in 2002. (National Vital Statistics Report 2004;53(5)).
- According to Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) survey results, adults in Utah reported having the following risk factors for heart disease and stroke:In 2005,
- 18.4% had high blood pressure
- 33.3% of those screened reported having high blood cholesterol
In 2006,
- 5.7% had diabetes
- 9.8% were current smokers
- 54.9% were overweight or obese (Body Mass Index greater than or equal to 25.0)
- 19.4% reported no exercise the prior 30 days
