Cardiovascular Disease

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death and disability in the United States and South Carolina. An estimated one-third of American adults have some form of cardiovascular disease. Cardiovascular disease is defined as all diseases of the heart and blood vessels, including ischemic heart disease, hypertensive heart disease (also called coronary heart disease), cerebrovascular disease (stroke), congestive heart failure, atherosclerosis, diseases of the veins and rheumatic heart disease. The Health Resources and Services Administration defines health disparities as population-specific differences in the presence of disease, health outcomes, or access to health care. Such disparities are linked to a number of complex factors such as income and education, genetic and physiological factors, access to care, and communication barriers. When compared to Whites, African Americans, as a racial group experience higher incidence of chronic diseases, higher mortality, and poorer health outcomes is African Americans. African Americans in South Carolina are 30% more likely to die from heart disease than the White population. Because, a startling 2009 study published in the New England Journal of Medicine, researchers found that African Americans have a much higher incidence of heart failure than other races, and it develops at younger ages. Racial/ethnic minority groups more frequently lack health insurance and have limited access to quality health care. The American Heart Association believes that it is time to bridge the disparity gap and ensure access to quality healthcare for all who live in the United States. So you should help out to other people with this disease.