Heart Disease and Stroke in Massachusetts

Heart disease and stroke, and other diseases of the heart and blood vessels, kill more people in Massachusetts and the nation than any other disease. 3,4 In 2003, almost 15,000 Massachusetts residents died from heart disease while stroke claimed 3,400 lives. 3 Together, heart disease, stroke, and other diseases of the heart and blood vessels are responsible for 35% of all deaths in Massachusetts. 3

The Soaring Cost of Heart Disease and Stroke in Massachusetts

Cardiovascular disease refers to the many disorders that affect the heart and blood vessels. The two most common and well known forms of cardiovascular disease are heart disease and stroke. Heart disease and stroke are costly and disabling. Hospital charges for cardiovascular diseases, including coronary heart disorders and stroke, have been increasing in the past four years. In 2003, total hospital charges surpassed the $3 billion mark in Massachusetts. 1

 

1Massachusetts Division of Health Care Finance and Policy. Inpatient Hospital Case Mix and Charge Data, Fiscal Year 2003.

3 Massachusetts Department of Public Health. Massachusetts Deaths 2003. In: Center for Health Information Statistics Research and Evaluation, ed; 2004

4 U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Healthy People 2010, Understanding and Improving Health and Objectives for Improving Health. In: US Government Printing Office, ed. Vol Volume II. Washington, DC; 2000.



This information is provided by the Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention and Control Program within the Department of Public Health .