Cardiovascular Disease Prevention and Control

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) refers to several types of conditions that affect the heart and blood vessels. The most common type of heart disease in the U.S. is coronary artery disease (CAD), which can lead to heart attacks (CDC).

• CVD is the leading cause of death in the world, responsible for 30% of all deaths globally (WHO), and 1 in 3 (over 800,000) deaths in the U.S. (CDC/MMWR).
• CVD is the leading cause of death for both men (CDC) and women in the U.S. (CDC)
• High blood pressure and high cholesterol are two major risk factors for heart disease. About half of U.S. adults with high blood pressure and nearly 2 out of 3 U.S. adults with high cholesterol don't have their condition yet under control (CDC/Vital Signs).
• In the U.S., annual direct and overall costs resulting from CVD are estimated at $273 billion and $444 billion, respectively (CDC/MMWR).

Many CVD risk factors such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, excess weight, poor diet, smoking, and diabetes can be prevented or treated through health behavior change and appropriate medication. Some unpreventable risks for CVD are related to heredity, medical history, age, gender, and race. There are also a number of underlying social, economic, and cultural determinants of CVD such as stress, education level, income, and insurance status.

Task Force Recommendations & Findings

This table lists interventions reviewed by the Community Guide, with a summary of the Task Force finding (definitions of findings). Click on an underlined intervention title for a summary of the review.

Reducing Out-of-Pocket Costs for Cardiovascular Disease Preventive Services for Patients with High Blood Pressure and High Cholesterol	Recommended December 2012
Team-Based Care to Improve Blood Pressure Control	Recommended April 2012

For More Information

CDC, Division of Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention

NIH, National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute

American Heart Association

World Health Organization

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