Cardiovascular Disease in Wisconsin

Posted: Nov. 1, 2005

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a major public health concern due to its high death and disability rates in Wisconsin. CVD has a great potential to be prevented if major risk factors are reduced.

Heart disease is the No. 1 cause of death, and stroke is the No. 3 cause of death in Wisconsin and the United States.

Cardiovascular disease includes a variety of heart and blood vessel diseases, such as heart attack (coronary artery disease), high blood pressure (hypertension), congestive heart failures and brain attack (stroke).

In 2003, about 37% of all Wisconsin deaths (16,482) were due to CVD.

CVD is the leading cause of death among men and women of all racial and ethnic groups. Annually, CVD causes more deaths than cancer, AIDS, automobile crashes, domestic abuse and alcohol abuse combined.

If individuals increase their physical activity, maintain a normal body weight and eat a healthy diet, heart disease risk can be lowered.

Source: Wisconsin Department of Health and Family Services

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