Good News on Heart Attacks and the Elderly
Date:
28/06/2011
What the research shows: Between 2002 and 2007, the rate of hospitalization for heart attacks dropped by more than 23 percent in Medicare fee-for-service beneficiaries, who represent 81 percent of all older adults. That statistic translates to 80,000 fewer heart attacks in 2007 than in 2002.
In addition, the reductions in heart attacks occurred across all age categories (including those over age 85) and were similar among white men and white women. The decline in heart attacks in the black population was smaller -- about 18 percent.
To what do we owe this encouraging trend?
Increased use of cholesterol and blood pressure medications has made a big difference in the number of heart attacks, as have nationwide improvements in lifestyle. For example, surveys show that the U.S. population is eating less saturated fat, and smoking rates have plummeted.
Despite these encouraging findings, coronary heart disease is still the number-one killer of Americans. So if you smoke, stop. Also, exercise, cut back on saturated and trans fats, lose weight if you need to, and talk to your doctor about medication if you have high blood pressure, diabetes or high cholesterol levels.