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Cardiovascular Disease

person gripping chest
Heart disease and stroke can result in poor quality of life, disability, and death.1

1. Heart Disease and Stroke. Healthy People 2030. 12/1/23.

Why It's Important

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States, and stroke is the fifth leading cause. Both diseases are common but can often be prevented by controlling risk factors like high blood pressure and high cholesterol. Additionally, ensuring that people who experience a cardiovascular emergency get timely recommended treatment can reduce their risk for long-term disability and death.2

2. Heart Disease and Stroke. Healthy People 2030. 12/1/23.

Who Is at Risk

The burden of cardiovascular disease is disproportionately distributed across the population. There are significant disparities in prevalence, treatment, and mortality based on gender, age, race/ethnicity, geographic area, and socioeconomic status.3

3. Heart Disease and Stroke. Healthy People 2020. 2/6/22.

How To Reduce Risk

Modifiable risk factors for cardiovascular disease include4:
  • High blood pressure
  • High cholesterol
  • Diabetes
  • Unhealthy diet and weight
  • Physical inactivity
  • Smoking
4. Heart Disease and Stroke. Healthy People 2020. 2/6/22.

How It's Tracked

  • Screening and Prevalence: The New Jersey Behavioral Risk Factor Survey (NJBRFS) monitors the use of preventive screening for a variety of cardiovascular disease risk and protective factors such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, cigarette smoking, and physical activity. NJBRFS also tracks prevalence of coronary artery disease, heart attack, and stroke.
  • Inpatient Hospitalization and Emergency Department Visits: The NJ Hospital Discharge Data Collection System receives diagnosis information about all inpatient hospitalization and emergency department visits from NJ hospitals.
  • Mortality: Death certificates are a fundamental source of demographic, geographic, and cause-of-death information.

Other Data and Information Resources

New Jersey Department of Health

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

CDC Heart Disease and Stroke Map Widget