You may have seen last month’s report from the CDC/NCHS. Since the early 1900s, heart disease has been the leading cause of death in the U.S. with cancer being the second leading cause. However, in 2014 cancer surpassed heart disease as the leading cause of death in 22 states, including NC and VA. While cancer is now No. 1 in these states, heart disease remains the leading cause of death in the U.S. This month the State of Obesity report (www.stateofobesity.org) was released, including state-by-state data for both adult and childhood obesity rates as well as heart disease and hypertension rates, policy areas to address these rates, and work underway from the federal to state to local levels. For more information read the heart.org story.
Our mission is to be a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives. For nearly 100 years, we’ve been fighting heart disease and stroke, striving to save and improve lives. Heart disease is the No. 1 killer worldwide, and stroke ranks second globally. Even when those conditions don’t result in death, they cause disability and diminish quality of life. We want to see a world free of cardiovascular diseases and stroke.