Heart Problems and Strokes
Heart and Stroke Conditions: Illinois’ Deadliest Illnesses
What Do the Figures Indicate?
In Illinois, heart problems and strokes rank first and fifth in terms of leading causes of mortality, respectively. They are also the main causes of disability. In Illinois, heart disease caused 26,280 deaths in 2021, while stroke caused 6,768 fatalities. In Illinois in 2021 (125,102), deaths from heart disease and stroke combined accounted for 33,048 deaths, or about 27% of all deaths.
Quick Facts
Heart disease is the leading cause of death in Illinois for both men and women. Heart disease and stroke are the second leading causes of physical disability in the state. Among all racial and ethnic groups, Black Americans had the highest prevalence of high blood pressure (hypertension) from 2013 to 2018. Living in a rural area with limited access to health services and healthy food options is also a risk factor. Hypertension is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease, which accounts for over 10 million deaths annually worldwide. In comparison to the rest of the nation, Illinois has higher rates of heart disease deaths (165.0 deaths per 100,000 population) than the United States (165.0 deaths per 100,000 population).
Nurturing Wellness: A Holistic Approach to Health in Today’s Fast-Paced World
Controlling and Preventing Illnesses
In addition to lowering the incidence of heart disease and strokes and the number of fatalities from these conditions, prevention initiatives combined with efficient disease care can also lessen some of the disabilities experienced by heart disease and stroke survivors.
In 2023, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) granted funding to the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) Cardiovascular Health Program, which aims to reduce societal obstacles to cardiovascular disease.
There is evidence connecting preventable non-medical factors—like systematic racism and limited economic opportunities—to poor health outcomes and higher death rates. Long-term disparities and health inequities are caused by a number of factors known as social determinants of health, including poverty, inadequate housing, poor health care or lack of access to health care, and social situations. The rising incidence of cardiovascular disease in Illinois and the United States is partly due to these socioeconomic factors. In Illinois, the populations most at risk of cardiovascular disease also tend to be the most socially vulnerable. In Illinois, the highest rates of social vulnerability and cardiovascular loads are found in the non-Hispanic Black population as well as the rural population (of all races and ethnicities).
IDPH seeks to address these socioeconomic factors by putting into practice evidence-based practices that help populations that are disproportionately at risk of cardiovascular disease prevent and manage the condition. In order to help communities and health systems respond to social determinants present in Illinois communities and to provide the best possible health outcomes for those at risk or afflicted with cardiovascular disease, these activities will also address social and economic factors, given the importance of health equity.
In order to treat and prevent cardiovascular disease, IDPH works with social service providers, local health departments, health systems, partner organizations, and colleagues to address social conditions.
Keep track of and monitor the clinical, social service, and support needs metrics that have been demonstrated to enhance health and wellness, raise the standard of care, and identify patients who are most at risk for cardiovascular disease.
Use team-based care to prevent and lower cardiovascular risk, with an emphasis on the detection, control, and management of high blood pressure and blood pressure through the reduction of social support barriers to enhance health outcomes.
In order to address the social determinants that place priority populations at elevated risk for cardiovascular disease, establish links between community resources and clinical services that promote referrals, self-management, and lifestyle modification.
The Better Together: Illinois Department of Public Health – Cardiovascular Health Learning Collaborative is being developed and implemented by IDPH. Public health systems, healthcare professionals, and community leaders will collaborate in this learning collaborative to apply evidence-based approaches for cardiovascular disease prevention, detection, control, and management among priority groups. It is anticipated that the learning collaborative will promote dialogue and idea sharing to address societal barriers and enhance heart health.
