Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States, and some cities have higher rates than others. According to a recent report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the city with the highest heart disease rates in Texas is Lubbock.
What is Heart Disease?
Heart disease is a term that refers to various conditions that affect the heart and blood vessels, such as coronary artery disease, heart attack, heart failure, arrhythmia, and stroke. These conditions can cause symptoms such as chest pain, shortness of breath, irregular heartbeat, weakness, and dizziness. Heart disease can also lead to serious complications, such as disability, reduced quality of life, and death.
What are the Risk Factors for Heart Disease?
Some of the risk factors for heart disease are modifiable, meaning they can be changed or controlled by lifestyle choices or medical treatment. These include smoking, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, obesity, physical inactivity, and poor diet. Other risk factors are non-modifiable, meaning they cannot be changed. These include age, gender, family history, and race or ethnicity.
How Does Lubbock Compare to Other Texas Cities?
According to the CDC report, Lubbock had the highest age-adjusted death rate from heart disease among the 10 largest cities in Texas in 2017, with 269.4 deaths per 100,000 population. This was significantly higher than the state average of 165.8 deaths per 100,000 population, and the national average of 165.0 deaths per 100,000 population. The city with the lowest heart disease death rate in Texas was Austin, with 109.9 deaths per 100,000 population.
The report also showed that Lubbock had the highest percentage of adults who reported having been told by a health professional that they had a heart attack, angina, or coronary heart disease, with 6.5% of the population. This was higher than the state average of 4.2%, and the national average of 4.0%. The city with the lowest percentage of adults with these conditions was El Paso, with 2.5% of the population.
What are the Possible Reasons for Lubbock’s High Heart Disease Rates?
The report did not provide any specific explanations for why Lubbock had the highest heart disease rates in Texas, but it did suggest some possible factors that could contribute to the city’s health status. These include socio-economic factors, such as income, education, and access to health care; environmental factors, such as air quality, climate, and pollution; and behavioral factors, such as smoking, diet, and physical activity.
According to the report, Lubbock had lower median household income, lower percentage of adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher, and lower percentage of adults with health insurance coverage than the state and national averages. These factors could limit the access and affordability of preventive and curative health services for the residents of Lubbock, and increase their exposure to stress and other health risks.
The report also indicated that Lubbock had higher percentage of adults who were current smokers, higher percentage of adults who were obese, and lower percentage of adults who participated in 150+ minutes of aerobic physical activity per week than the state and national averages. These factors could increase the risk of developing and worsening heart disease, as well as other chronic conditions, such as diabetes and cancer.
What are the Possible Solutions for Lubbock’s High Heart Disease Rates?
The report recommended some strategies that could help reduce the burden of heart disease in Lubbock, and improve the overall health and well-being of the population. These include implementing policies and programs that promote healthy behaviors, such as smoking cessation, nutrition education, and physical activity; increasing the availability and accessibility of quality health care services, especially for low-income and uninsured populations; and enhancing the collaboration and coordination among various sectors and stakeholders, such as health care providers, public health agencies, community organizations, and local governments.
The report also emphasized the importance of individual and collective action, and encouraged the residents of Lubbock to take charge of their own health and support each other in making healthy choices. The report stated that “everyone has a role to play in preventing heart disease and improving health outcomes”.
Conclusion
Heart disease is a major public health problem in the United States, and some cities have higher rates than others. Lubbock, Texas, has been named the city with the highest heart disease rates in the state, according to a recent report by the CDC. The report suggested some possible reasons for Lubbock’s high heart disease rates, such as socio-economic, environmental, and behavioral factors, and recommended some possible solutions, such as promoting healthy behaviors, increasing access to health care, and enhancing collaboration and coordination. The report also urged the residents of Lubbock to take action and responsibility for their own health and well-being, and to support each other in creating a healthier community.
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