Have you ever wondered which state has the highest percentage of cardiovascular disease compared to its population? Have you wondered about the statistics in your state?

For example, you may have looked up Arkansas statistics for cardiovascular disease. Maybe you narrowed it down further, wondering about cardiovascular disease in women in Arkansas. Or you may have become even more detailed, seeking information about cardiovascular disease in women in Fort Smith, Arkansas. Such information is available for each state, but we will look at only one here.

Let’s look at Arkansas statistics for cardiovascular disease. Specifically, let’s look at cardiovascular disease in women in Arkansas.

Arkansas Statistics for Cardiovascular Disease

Cardiovascular disease in women in Arkansas as of 1995 caused this state to rank 32nd in cardiovascular disease death rates for all women in the state. The lowest ranked state was ranked 1. Between 1991 and 1995, the years of this study, cardiovascular disease in women in Arkansas claimed 413 lives out of every 100,000.

The state that ranked best was Minnesota. The lowest ranking went to Mississippi.

Cardiovascular Disease in Women in Arkansas

When you look at cardiovascular disease in women in Arkansas, you see differences according to ethnic background.

* Native Americans showed no deaths from heart disease.

* Asian and Pacific Islander women also showed no heart disease deaths in Arkansas.

* Heart disease death rates for black women were 576 per 100,000 - ranking Arkansas 35th for black women.

* Heart disease death rates for Hispanic women were 183 per 100,000 - ranking Arkansas 16th for Hispanic women.

* For white women in Arkansas, there were 393 deaths from heart disease, making the rank 32nd for white women.

Cardiovascular disease is the #1 leading cause of death in Arkansas.

Cardiovascular Disease in Women in Fort Smith, Arkansas

When you zoom in, you find that cardiovascular disease in women in Fort Smith, Arkansas has a foe. The Cooper Clinic, patterned after the Mayo Clinic, is the largest physician owned multi-specialty medical group in Arkansas. Its “Heart Center of Excellence” boasts 7 cardiology specialists who are working to make a difference in Fort Smith’s cardiovascular disease in women as well as men.

Your State Ranking

If you are interested in how your state ranks in cardiovascular disease death rates, check the CDC website or search for state rankings. Rankings for both men and women are available.

Are Procrit and congestive heart failure linked?

Congestive heart failure in the United States qualifies as an epidemic. An estimated 5 to 6 million people in the U.S. have congestive heart failure. Sadly, only about half of those are diagnosed immediately, despite seeking medical advice. Many experience the symptoms for more than a year before they learn what it is. Many learn only after an acute attack of the symptoms sends them to a hospital. Various treatments are available if early diagnosis is made, but many physicians seem to be misdiagnosing symptoms.

Can Procrit cause congestive heart failure?

Congestive Heart Failure Symptoms

In brief, congestive heart failure symptoms include the following:

* Appetite loss
* Fatigue
* Fluid retention (edema)
* Shortness of breath
* Swelling of abdomen and lower back
* Swelling of legs, ankles, and feet
* Weakness

On examination, the physician finds that the heart is enlarged. Blood is pooling in the body’s liver circulation and its overall circulation. The heart is progressively losing its ability to pump blood throughout the body. Since blood does not flow as it should, it can back up and pool in the extremities or lungs. This is why it is termed congestive heart failure rather than simply heart failure.

Procrit and Congestive Heart Failure

Procrit and congestive heart failure may indeed be closely linked. Procrit is an erythropoiesis-stimulating agent (ESA). An FDA alert published on November 16, 2006 reads in part:

FDA is issuing this alert to advise you of a newly published clinical study showing that patients treated with an erythropoiesis-stimulating agent (ESA) and dosed to a target hemoglobin concentration of 13.5 g/dL are at a significantly increased risk for … hospitalization for congestive heart failure…. The … study findings underscore the importance of following the currently approved prescribing information for Procrit….

In other words, the FDA is alerting physicians to the fact that Procrit might cause congestive heart failure serious enough to entail hospitalization.

The FDA alert goes on to say that healthcare providers should discuss with patients the fact that treatment with an ESA - which Procrit is - can be harmful if not closely monitored.

CAUTION: Please see your doctor if you have reason to think you may have one or more of the risk factors or symptoms of congestive heart disease. The information contained in this article is for educational purposes only.

Part one of this article looked at a possible after heart attack regimen. We discussed going home after heart attack, exercise after heart attack, and driving after heart attack.

We continue to look at how life might change after a heart attack.

Is My Heart OK After Heart Attack?

Heart attacks are not all the same. After heart attack, the heart muscle is weakened. It needs to be strengthened. Some lasting damaging may have been done by the attack. Your physician will let you know your heart’s condition after a heart attack.

Returning to Work After Heart Attack

Depending on the condition of your heart, you will probably be able to return to work one to three months after heart attack. You should not be afraid to return to work once your doctor has given approval. If your job is too physically or emotionally demanding, you may have to change jobs after heart attack, but you will probably be able to continue working.

Making Love After Heart Attack

Don’t be afraid to enjoy making love with your spouse after heart attack. Most doctors recommend waiting, however, about three to four weeks. As with other exercise, you should begin slowly, and gradually return to what’s normal for you. Discuss any concerns with your doctor.

Avoiding a “Do-Over”

After heart attack, you will not want to do it again. Here are some things you can change to reduce your risks of a do-over.

1. Exercise in accordance with your physician’s advice.
2. Get your weight to a healthy level and maintain it there.
3. Stop smoking.
4. Control stress. We found some simple, good advice at Stress Management Blog. Click here to learn how to manage stress.
5. Work with your physician to control your blood pressure.

Helpful Tip

Some patients develop so much fear after heart attack that they let themselves become handicapped by the event. This is unnecessary. Many people live full and happy lives after heart attack. Discuss fears with your physician, and rely on his or her advice as to what you are able to do. Then do it and enjoy life.

CAUTION: The information contained in this article is for educational purposes only. Please discuss with your doctor any questions or concerns you have after heart attack.