Summary: Public Health Spotlight On Cardiovascular Disease

There are multiple factors that lead to the development cardiovascular disease. While some individuals are born with conditions that predispose them to strokes or heart disease, a majority of people participate in a combination of risk factors that lead to the development of cardiovascular disease. A few of those risk factors include a lack of physical activity, smoking, and poor diet. The more frequently individuals expose themselves to these risk factors the higher their chances of developing cardiovascular disease.

Cardiovascular diseases has affected large number of population worldwide and in developed countries it is responsible for half of all deaths, coronary artery disease (CAD) alone is responsible for 1 of every 4.7 deaths in the United States (Eichner et al., 2002).

Over the past few years cardiovascular diseases have become the number one global cause of death. These diseases were first discovered 3,500 years ago with the Egyptians, and ever since then the causes have been pretty much the same. Although there are things that can be done to either increase or decrease the chances of getting heart disease. “Heart diseases describe a range of conditions that affect the heart” (Sheen 1). It can range from a myocardial infarction- a heart attack-, to a cerebral vascular disease, which is a disease of the blood vessels. Either way these diseases can impact the life of people in many negative aspects. Cardiovascular diseases have become the number one cause in global death due to the bad habits, diets, stress, and natural and chemical causes that the global population has.

1. Innovation to improve the mortality and morbidity of cardiovascular disease in developing countries may involve new surgical procedures, new implants and pacemakers, coronary artery bypasses, surgical treatments for Atrial fibrillation, repair of congenital heart defects, heart transplants, aortic arteries repair, replacement or repair of heart valves, and aneurysm repair (Hsieh, Chang, Lee, Chen, & Chan, 2012). Moreover, the innovation involves the integration of computer charting and data collection. This may involve a computer-based data registry that is responsible of storing patient related data. Developing countries are stepping away from the pen and paper charting system to a more sophisticated computerized system (Hsieh et al., 2012). This will allow for better tracking and follow up of complicated cases. Moreover, technological advances in imaging, screening, and diagnosing methods may also help reduce morbidity and mortality related to cardiovascular disease. Developing countries are now able to conduct ECG’s, stress monitoring, heart changes monitoring, radiological procedures, and labs that could target specific cardiac markers Hsieh et al., 2012).

It has been proven that smoking is the cause of 30% of general cancer deaths and 80% of lung cancer deaths in the U.S. Lung cancer has also been found to be the biggest cause of cancer deaths among breast cancer, prostate cancer, and ovarian cancer. This year alone, 190,500 of about 600,900 cancer deaths will be caused by smoking tobacco. This means that one in every three cancer patients will die due to tobacco products. In fact, smoking tobacco caused such high amounts of lung cancer that tobacco companies are legally required to include a surgeon general’s warning that outlines the potential of developing cancer on their packaging. The numbers and warnings of smoking-related lung cancer can be seen everywhere from statistics to the companies themselves being held liable for the illnesses their products

The most recent update to the Tobacco Products Control Act, was in September 2011, in the Tobacco Products Labelling Regulations for Cigarettes and Little Cigars. This required sixteen health warnings, including pictures such as tongue cancer, lung cancer, and even strokes, that must cover 75% of the front and back of tobacco products in Canada. (Tabacco Labelling Resource Center). It also had to include eight new health information messages, as well as four new toxic emissions statements. (Health Canada). In a study done by the World Health Organization between Canada, the United States, and Australia, it was proven that the pictorial warnings located on tobacco packages were considered more likely to be noticed than text-only labels, more effective for educating smokers about the health risks of smoking and for increasing smokers’ thoughts about the health risks of smoking, and that the pictorial warnings were associated with increased motivation to quit smoking. (World Health

Cardiovascular disease is a substantial concern and has emerged as one of the leading health issues. In examining cardiovascular disease, its incidence is astounding. Each year approximately one million men and women die, averaging one death every thirty three seconds (Heart, 2013).The death rate for cardiovascular issues such as myocardial infarction and CHF claim more lives than cancer and Aids combined. Heart disease will be the number one cause of death by the

Cardiovascular disease has gained a global attention due to the overwhelming number of cases reported annually. Stakeholders from various health monitoring agencies, health care providers, and government agencies have come together to tackle the disease, and reduce morbidity and mortality. Organizations such as the Million Hearts Initiative, the American Heart Association (AHA) 2020 Goals, and the Healthy People 2020 goals have established public health objectives aimed at targeting cardiovascular risk factors, and improving the outcome of the disease (Sidney, Rosamond, Howard & Luepker, 2013). The aspirations of the AHA 2020 objectives are to enhance the cardiovascular well-being of all Americans by 20%, as well as decrease related deaths from cardiovascular diseases and stroke by 20% (Sidney et al., 2013). Statistical analysis of the predominance of cardiovascular health risk factors among Americans is overwhelming and therefore needs immediate action. According to Go et al. (2013), about 31.9 million adults 20 years or older have total serum cholesterol levels greater than or equals to 240 mg/dL. According to a statistical data recorded between 2007 to 2010, 33% of United States adults aged 20 years of age or older are hypertensive, that is about 78 million US adults, and 44% globally (Go et al., 2013). In 2010, an overwhelming 19.7 million people in the United States were diagnosed with diabetes mellitus, in addition to 8.2 million unconfirmed cases, and 38.2% people

This research question is important in this program because it will help determine whether this cardiovascular program has increased the capacity to address heart disease, change mindsets, and to reach goals of the cardiovascular program. In this program we are devoted to prevent and manage cardiovascular diseases through professional education and research for clinicians, providers, and patients.

Over the past years, heart disease has constituted one of the leading causes death in America. In fact, statistics show that one in every seven deaths is as a result of heart-related diseases (American Heart Association, 2016). Conversely, most deaths reported are of elderly individuals aged above the 65 years. However, there are also other underlying conditions that elevate the risk of developing heart diseases. According to the American Heart Association (2016) 62% of men and 67.8% of women have high blood pressure that are aged between 65-74 years of age. High blood pressure exposes older people to high-risk chances of developing cardiovascular diseases, characterized by high rates of mortality, morbidity, and disability. Cardiovascular

Age is important as the target for reduction in mortality from CHD, stroke and related disorders of 40% of the year 2010, established in Saving Lives: Our Healthier Nation (DoH 1999), referred to the under 75 age group. The key areas identified for intervention in the national service framework are: reducing smoking, promoting healthy eating, promoting physical activity and reducing obesity, although several other factors are known to contribute to the development of CHD. Smoking has long been known to be a factor in the development of CHD. According to Smeltzer and Bare (2000), smoking decreases blood flow to the extremities and increases heart rate and pressure via stimulation of the sympathetic nervous system, causing vasoconstriction. In addition, it raises the chances of clot formation by increasing the aggregation of platelets. Campbell (2006) suggests that the toxic components of cigarette smoke damage the endothelial lining of the blood vessels, which may initiate the development of atherosclerosis. Because carbon dioxide from the cigarette burns readily with haemoglobin, it deprives oxygen of

Cardiovascular diseases continue to be a lingering global health challenge (WHO, 2014) as well as in the United States (CDC, 2014). Major efforts are geared towards tackling this health challenge; reducing the disease burden, addressing the underlying factors, as well as the risk factors. Preventing the onset of cardiovascular disease is the best approach and education is the most formidable tool for achieving the best results. For some individuals, however, who already have cardiovascular diseases, treating and managing it, is the next best option and the tool for empowerment and proper management is education as well.

At this stage the patients with high risk for cardiovascular disease should be identified, such as those with a history of a family plagued with the disease, if the patient is a smoker, gets no exercise, or a profile blood lipid has come back from the laboratory abnormal (Williams & Torrens, 2008). Early screenings often lead to more focused and specific testing and exams which can give a diagnosis of the disease much earlier resulting in the patient increasing their odds of

Currently the support for public health initiatives to prevent heart disease and stroke are low, constituting to less than 3% of the total budget of state public health agencies. Despite considerable public health advances in previous years, failing to stop and reverse the menace has been very costly. The number of fatalities and health care expenses only continue to escalate day by day. Out of the ten essential public health services, I recommend three. First, inform, educate and empower people about health issues. People are not informed on the issue. The provision of information ensures stroke patients get to hospitals as fast as possible. Sharing experience and knowledge on heart disease and stroke prevention with all stakeholders goes to uprooting the menace at the root. The second is to investigate health problems and health hazards, and diagnose then within the community. Research has to be fostered policies and public health initiatives intended to prevent the menace, particularly, at the community level. Lastly is to ensure that there are qualified public and personal healthcare personnel. Heart disease patients require effective interventions and best practices when receiving treatment (America Statement).

Tobacco accounts for 40% of the cardiovascular diseases. In the 1960s, legislation have placed a warning regarding cigarette use on front of the packets. Even though a warning label placed on the tobacco packet, young adults would still start smoking. CVS Health has taken a decision to stop selling tobacco in its stores. Therefore, Shalom Jacobovitz (2014) wrote a journal article that supports his belief to stop selling tobacco in pharmaceutical stores. Jacobovitz convinces his audience, primarily the leaders of pharmaceutical chains and also smokers, through the use of ethos, pathos and logos.