Nearly half of Americans have chronic condition — but don’t know it
VIDEO - Diabetes and high blood pressure were especially prevalent among African-Americans -- who were more likely than whites and Hispanics to have at least one of these chronic health problems...
Take a look around the next time you’re hanging out in a coffee shop… or walking down the street. Nearly half of everyone you see over the age of 20 is suffering from a chronic health problem — potentially setting them up for a heart attack or stroke.
“This is a significant problem,” said Dr. Keith Churchwell, a cardiologist from Vanderbilt University Medical Center.
That problem is the crux of a new report from the CDC’s National Center for Health Statistics.
Researchers found that — between 1999 and 2006 — 45 percent of American adults had at least one of three chronic health conditions — high blood pressure, high cholesterol or diabetes.
Each of them can greatly increase the risk for heart disease.
“This may be the first time that they know within the population of this country where, how much of the disease is actually prevalent,” said Dr. Churchwell.
The prevalence of high blood pressure remained stable throughout the study period. High cholesterol generally decreased — possibly because of better medications.
But it was the number of diabetes cases that increased over time.
And cardiologists say that while genetics plays some role — Americans have to look at three other reasons for the rise in diabetes.
“Diet, weight, exercise. Those are the things that actually, we actually have greater control over, but are playing a significant role in terms of increasing the incidence of diabetes, I think, in the population,” said Dr. Churchwell.
Diabetes and high blood pressure were especially prevalent among African-Americans —- who were more likely than whites and Hispanics to have at least one of these chronic health problems.
Doctors say they may be able to narrow their focus on preventing heart disease… now that they have a better — and broader — scope on just how many Americans are walking around with risk factors.
