Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention
Heart disease and stroke are the second and fourth leading causes of death in Alaska. In December, 1998, the Alaska Division of Public Health released a comprehensive plan aimed at reducing heart disease and stroke (cardiovascular disease) in Alaska. The Take Heart Alaska Cardiovascular Disease Prevention Plan was developed in collaboration with the American Heart Association, Alaska Health Fair, and individuals representing hospitals, tribal organizations, and other governmental offices, with assistance from experts in cardiology, wellness, nutrition, and physical activity.
In October 2001, the State of Alaska received a grant from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to address cardiovascular health in the state. The goal of the State's Cardiovascular Health Program (CVH) is to continue building the capacity of the state to positively impact the cardiovascular health of all Alaskans. Part of that effort includes collaborating with other state programs such as the Obesity Prevention and Control, Diabetes Control Program, Community Preventive Services, and the Alaska Tobacco Prevention and Control Program.
The Cardiovascular Health Program provides staffing and support for the statewide coalition, Take Heart Alaska. It consists of agencies, organizations and individuals working together to prevent cardiovascular disease in Alaska. The primary goal of Take Heart is implementation of the Cardiovascular Disease Prevention Plan, which was updated in 2003. The coalition coordinates its efforts with other coalitions addressing cardiovascular related concerns including Eat Smart Alaska, Alaskans Promoting Physical Activity, the Alaska Tobacco Control Alliance, and the Obesity Prevention and Control Workgroup.
Related Programs:
- Take Heart Alaska Coalition
- Eat Smart Alaska
- Alaskans Promoting Physical Activity (APPA)
- Alaska Tobacco Control Alliance
- Diabetes Control Program
- Community Preventive Services
- Alaska Tobacco Prevention and Control
Publications:
- Heart Disease and Stroke Facts: Signs and Symptoms of Stroke
- Burden of Stroke in the Pacific Northwest
- Matters of the Heart Newsletters
- Heart Disease and Stroke Facts: Stroke in Alaska
- The Burden of Cardiovascular Disease in Alaska: Mortality, Hospitalization and Risk Factors, July 2006
- The Burden of Cardiovascular Disease in Alaska: Mortality, Hospitalization and Risk Factors, January 2004
- Take Heart Alaska Cardiovascular Disease Prevention Plan
Informative Links:
- Reference Card From the Seventh Report of the Joint National Committee on Prevention, Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Pressure (JNC 7)
- Adult Treatment Panel III Guidelines At-A-Glance Quick Desk Reference (ATP III)
- Implications of Recent Clinical Trials for the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III Guidelines (NCEP Report - Update 2004)
- Preventing Cardiovascular Events in Persons at Risk or With Established CV Disease - Quick Reference Card
- Alaska Women Take Heart Media Campaign
For more information, please contact:
Lee Peterson, Manager
Cardiovascular Health Program
Division of Public Health
Department of Health and Social Services
P.O. Box 110616
Juneau, Alaska 99811-0616
(907) 465-8670
Email the Section of Chronic Disease Prevention
and Health Promotion:
hss.cdphp@alaska.gov
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