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Understanding Cardiovascular Disease

Cardiovascular disease is a major public health problem that affects the United States population. Be kind to your heart and become aware of the preventable chronic illness by knowing the impact and barriers to treatment significant to cardiovascular disease.

Cardiovascular disease is a preventable non-communicable disease that disrupts the function of the cardiovascular system, which leads to detrimental health outcomes (1). The cardiovascular system is known to also be referred to as the circulatory system, which plays a role in the blood flow of the human body (2). For instance, the cardiovascular system consists of different arteries and veins that help to control the blood flow of the heart (2). The role of the arteries is to pump blood away from the heart, whereas the veins are responsible for pumping blood towards the heart (2). When it comes to cardiovascular disease, the coronary artery can become affected by the plaque buildup in the artery, which then causes poor blood flow of the heart and can lead to a heart attack(1).

 

At least 47 percent of the United States population has 1 of 3 main risk factors for heart disease (3). The The following main risk factors for heart disease are as followed (4): 

 

    • High Blood Pressure
    • High Cholesterol Level
    • Smoking

In addition, other risks include (4): 

  • Diabetes
  • Overweight 
  • Obesity
  • Unhealthy diet
  • Physical inactivity 
  • Excessive alcohol use

The following actions one can take to reduce their risk for heart disease and a heart attack are as followed (5) 

 

  • Engage in healthy lifestyle behaviors: 
    • Consume healthy foods and beverages
      • Avoid high sodium foods (5)
      • Avoid beverages with a lot of sugar (5)
      • Avoid high saturated foods (5)
      • Drink alcohol in moderation (5)
    • Maintain a health weight
      • An unhealthy weight can contribute to the adverse health effects related to heart disease such as a heart attack (5).
    • Incorporate physical activity 
      • Participate in physical activity at least 2 hours and 30 minutes per week (5).
    • Do not engage in smoking 
      • Smoking can increase your risk for heart disease and lead to a heart attack (5).

Effect of Cardiovascular disease in the united States

Did you know one person dies every 36 seconds from cardiovascular disease (6)? It is the leading cause of death among the United States population and continues to affect individuals every year (6)

In addition, at least 659,000 individuals among the United States population dies annually from the preventable chronic illness (6).

On average, the United States spends billions of dollars on cardiovascular disease alone (6). Reports indicate, at least more than 360 billion dollars is spent by the United States to treat the different services related to cardiovascular disease (6). 

 

 

Impact of Cardiovascular disease in arizona and california

Within the state of Arizona, the death rate is 89.8 per 100,000 population (7). More than 10 thousand residents of Arizona die from the preventable non -communicable disease (7).

Within the state of California, the death rate is 203 per 100, 000 population (7). In addition, more than 64 thousand individuals die from the preventable non -communicable disease (7).

Adverse health effects of Cardiovascular Disease

One of the major adverse health effects related to  cardiovascular disease is a heart attack also referred to as a myocardial infarction(MI) (8). When it comes to a heart attack, there are different types, with ST- Elevation Myocardial Infarction (STEMI) being the most adverse type of heart attack (8). Understanding the adverse health effects related to cardiovascular disease will help you to take the necessary actions to help obtain the appropriate healthcare services.

A ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction (STEMI) is when there is a complete blockage in the coronary artery, which requires immediate medical services by clinical staff (8). On average at least 38 percent of patients who present to the emergency department provide a chief complaint related to a STEMI (8). In order for a STEMI to be determined, a diagnostic test called an electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG) will be provided to determine any abnormal heart rhythms (9).

The following symptoms you need to be aware of are the following (10):

  • Chest pain
  • Chest discomfort
  • Shortness of Breath
  • Light-headed
  • Arm pain (one or both arms)
  • Shoulder pain (one or both shoulders)
  • Jaw pain or discomfort
  • Neck pain or discomfort
  • Back pain or discomfort

Impact of heart attacks in arizona and california

Reports indicate in 2017, more than 8,700 individuals in Arizona experienced a heart attack (11).

Reports indicate in 2017, more than 54,000 individuals in California experienced a heart attack (12).

What are the barriers to Treatment?

One may ask why the statistics for cardiovascular disease and heart attacks are high among the states of Arizona and California? These are just two states. Could you imagine the impact of cardiovascular disease and heart attacks in each state? Barriers to treatment are known to be a key indicator as to why individuals cannot receive healthcare services.

For example, barriers to treatment such as poor transportation services, access to healthcare services (primary care provider shortages), and being uninsured all play a role in why individuals cannot receive healthcare services to treat their condition (13). As you can see in the infographic, millions of individuals throughout the United States are affected annually by not having access to transportation, access to their primary care provider, or because they are uninsured.

Resources for the state of Arizona and California

As a resident of Arizona and frequent traveler to California, sometimes it can be complex to find basic resources when it comes to trying to receive healthcare services. Given the information regarding the barriers to treatment, having the necessary resources is imperative for you to thrive in the community.

Arizona:

Medicaid Members: For individuals who are insured with the Medicaid Program for Arizona through the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment Services (AHCCCS); refer to the number on the back of your insurance card to obtain transportation services or visit this link with the list of the Non-Emergency Medical Transportation Providers who are aligned with your plan (14): https://www.azahcccs.gov/AHCCCS/Downloads/NEMT.pdf

Public Transportation: Due to the number of counties in the state of Arizona, please refer to the link for a list of the transportation providers within the state of Arizona (15): https://www.apta.com/research-technical-resources/public-transportation-links/arizona/

In the event of an Emergency: Dial 9-1-1

California:

Medicaid Members: For individuals who are insured with the Medicaid Program for California through the Medi-Cal program can utilize the two types of transportation services(16): 

Non -Medical Transportation (NMT): Individuals who have benefits through Medi-Cal can call one of the providers on the approved non -medical transportation (NMT) providers list (16). Please see link for the list: https://www.dhcs.ca.gov/services/medi-cal/Documents/List-of-Approved-Nonmedical-Transportation-Providers.pdf

Non-Emergency Medical Transportation (NEMT): This is available to individuals who need non-emergency transportation by ambulance, wheelchair van, or litter van who are unable to obtain transportation services by public private vendors (16). Advise to contact the Medi-Cal Customer Service line to schedule any rides related to NEMT (16). Please see link for any additional information: https://www.dhcs.ca.gov/services/medi-cal/Pages/Transportation.aspx

Public Transportation: Due to the amount of the counties in California, please refer to link of public transit vendors for each county (17): https://www.apta.com/research-technical-resources/public-transportation-links/california/

In the event of an Emergency: Dial 9-1-1

Arizona:

For the state of Arizona the Medicaid program is called Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS)(18). If you are interested in applying for Medicaid for Arizona, there are 4 different methods on how you can submit an application (18). 

The following methods are (18): 

Online: Submit an online application via Health-e- Arizona Plus website https://www.healthearizonaplus.gov/Login/Default

Via Mail: Must download the form at https://des.az.gov/sites/default/files/dl/FAA-0001A.pdf?time=1637692098607 and then submit to the address below: 

Arizona Department of Economic Security

Family Assistance Administration

P.O Box 19009

Phoenix, Arizona 85005

Request a paper application: Contact 855- 432-7587 to have a paper application sent to your home address and then you will have to mail it.

Receive assistance from an Assistor who helps with the application process by going to the link below and inputting your zip code: https://www.healthearizonaplus.gov/App/Enrollment_Entity_Search_results.aspx?link=Assistor

California

For the state of California, the Medicaid program is called Medi-Cal (19). Currently, there are 4 different methods to submit an application to obtain medical health coverage through California, which are (19):

In person: An individual is able to visit their local social services office to fill out an application. Please refer to the link below to find the office within your county 

https://www.dhcs.ca.gov/services/medi-cal/Pages/CountyOffices.aspx 

Mail: Download the form in your language preference by going to this link below: https://www.dhcs.ca.gov/services/medi-cal/eligibility/Pages/SingleStreamApps.aspx

Once you complete the form: send to the address below: 

Covered California

P.O. Box 989725

West Sacramento, CA 95798

Phone: Call your local social services office to apply over the phone. Please see the link below to find your nearest social service office within your county: https://www.dhcs.ca.gov/services/medi-cal/Pages/CountyOffices.aspx 

Online: To apply online, refer to the link provided and complete the application: https://www.coveredca.com/)

Additional Cardiovascular Disease Resources

For additional guidance and resources to help gain a better understanding of cardiovascular disease, please refer to the links below: 

 

References

  1. American Heart Association. (2021). What is Cardiovascular Disease?. Retrieved from  https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/consumer-healthcare/what-is-cardiovascular-disease

  2. Informed Health. (2006). Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care: How does the blood circulatory system work? Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK279250/

  3. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2019). Heart Disease: Know Your Risk For Heart Disease. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/heartdisease/risk_factors.htm

  4. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2021a). Heart Disease: About Heart Disease. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/heartdisease/about.htm

  5. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2020). Heart Disease: Prevent Heart Disease. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/heartdisease/prevention.htm

  6. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2021b). Heart Disease: Heart Attack Symptoms, Risk, and Recovery. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/heartdisease/heart_attack.htm

  7. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2021d). National Center for Health Statistics: Heart Disease Mortality By State. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/pressroom/sosmap/heart_disease_mortality/heart_disease.htm

  8. Akbar H., Foth C., Kahloon R.A, Mountfort, S. (2021). StatPearls: Acute ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction.Retrieved from from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK532281/

  9. Mechanic, O.J., Gavin, M., & Grossman, S. A.(2021). StatPearls: Acute Myocardial Infarction. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK459269/

  10. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2021d). National Center for Health Statistics: Heart Disease Mortality By State. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/pressroom/sosmap/heart_disease_mortality/heart_disease.htm

  11. Arizona Department of Health Services. (2019). Heart Disease and Stroke in Arizona: 2019 Burden Report. Retrieved from https://azdhs.gov/documents/prevention/tobacco-chronic-disease/heart-disease-burden-report-2019.pdf

  12. California Health and Human Services Agency. (2020). Open Data Portal: AHRQ IMI Conditions 2017. Retrieved from https://data.chhs.ca.gov/dataset/california-hospital-inpatient-mortality-rates-and-quality-ratings/resource/cacfd2d2-5935-4edf-b989-97e7ba20ad63?inner_span=True

  13. Wolfe, M. K., McDonald, N. C., & Holmes, G. M. (2020). Transportation Barriers to Health Care in the United States: Findings From the National Health Interview Survey, 1997–2017. American Journal of Public Health, 110(6), 815–822. https://doi-org.libweb.ben.edu/10.2105/AJPH.2020.305579

  14. Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System. (2021). Getting Transportation to and from your AHCCCS Covered Services. Retrieved from https://www.azahcccs.gov/AHCCCS/Downloads/NEMT.pdf

  15. American Public Transportation Association. (2021a). Arizona Transit Links. Retrieved from https://www.apta.com/research-technical-resources/public-transportation-links/arizona/

  16. Department of Health Care Services. (2021b). Transportation Services. Retrieved from https://www.dhcs.ca.gov/services/medi-cal/Pages/Transportation.aspx

  17. American Public Transportation Association. (2021b). California Transit Links. Retrieved from https://www.apta.com/research-technical-resources/public-transportation-links/california/

  18. Arizona Department of Economic Security. (2021). Applying for Medical Assistance (AHCCCS Health Insurance). Retrieved from https://des.az.gov/services/basic-needs/apply-medical-assistance-ahcccs-health-insurance#top

  19. Department of Health Care Services. (2021a). Are you Eligible? Retrieved from https://www.dhcs.ca.gov/individuals/Pages/Steps-to-Medi-Cal.aspx

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