Heart beat: States of the heart
Heart beat
States of the heart
While the country may be politically divided into red states and blue states, when it comes to heart disease there are only red states and redder states. A survey of more than 350,000 people by the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows that about 14.5 million Americans over age 18 are living with heart disease. The percentage varies from a low of 4.8% in Colorado to a high of 10.4% in West Virginia. Many of the states with the highest rates are clustered in the lower Mississippi and Ohio River valleys.
Maps like these aren't merely a geographer's whim. The regional differences they reveal can help researchers identify constellations of risk factors that might contribute to heart disease.
To continue reading this article, you must log in.
Subscribe to Harvard Health Online for immediate access to health news and information from Harvard Medical School.
- Research health conditions
- Check your symptoms
- Prepare for a doctor's visit or test
- Find the best treatments and procedures for you
- Explore options for better nutrition and exercise
I'd like to receive access to Harvard Health Online for only $4.99 a month.
Sign Me UpAlready a member? Login ».
Disclaimer:
As a service to our readers, Harvard Health Publishing provides access to our library of archived content. Please note the date of last review or update on all articles.
No content on this site, regardless of date, should ever be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from your doctor or other qualified clinician.
