200,000 Preventable Deaths from Heart Disease & Stroke

While this is a laudable goal, nothing in here is more than a press release. No actionable and measurable items. And nothing that mentions the stroke deaths occurring due to the neuronal cascade of death in the first week. Stupidity and laziness rule.
http://www.cdc.gov/vitalsigns/HeartDisease-Stroke/index.html
Nearly 1 in 3 deaths in the US each year is caused by heart disease and stroke. At least 200,000 of these deaths could have been prevented through changes in health habits, such as stopping smoking, more physical activity, and less salt in the diet; community changes to create healthier living spaces, such as safe places to exercise and smoke-free areas; and managing high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes.
More people will have access to health care coverage and preventive care through the Affordable Care Act. Health care providers should talk with their patients about healthy habits at every visit and follow patients’ progress.
Health care systems and providers can also:

• Use electronic health records to identify and support patients who need help quitting smoking or who have high blood pressure or high cholesterol.
• Refer patients to community resources, such as smoking quitlines and blood pressure selfmanagement programs.
• Track patient progress on the ABCS of heart health—Aspirin when appropriate, Blood pressure control, Cholesterol management, and Smoking cessation.

*Preventable (avoidable) deaths are defined as those from ischemic heart disease, stroke, chronic rheumatic heart disease, and hypertensive disease in people under age 75, although changes in health habits and the health care system can reduce death among all ages.

Problem

Many deaths from heart disease and stroke can be prevented.

What do we know about preventable deaths from heart disease and stroke?
Your chances of dying from heart disease and stroke depend on many things.

Age: While the number of preventable deaths has declined in people ages 65-74, it has remained virtually unchanged in people under 65.

Important progress has been made, but more is needed to continue to save lives, particularly for people under 65 years

SOURCE: National Vital Statistics System, US Census Bureau, 2001-2010.

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Race/ethnicity: Blacks are nearly twice as likely as whites to die early from heart disease and stroke.
Sex: Men have the highest risk of death across all races and ethnic groups. Black men are most at risk.

Black men are at highest risk of dying early from heart disease and stroke