LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR BOLLING ANNOUNCES 44% DROP IN VIRGINIA'S HEART ATTACK MORTALITY RATES -Encourages citizens to maintain healthy habits to reduce the risk of heart disease-

From the Office of the Lieutenant Governor

February 24, 2010

Contact: Ibbie Hedrick
Phone: 804-786-2078
Cell: 804-677-0009
Email: Ibbie.Hedrick@ltgov.virginia.gov

RICHMOND - Lieutenant Governor Bill Bolling and the Virginia Department of Health today announced that Virginia's Acute Myocardial Infarction (heart attack) rates have declined 44 percent from 1998-2008. The Lieutenant Governor has actively promoted heart health through the "Lieutenant Governor's Challenge: Your Heart is in Your Hands" initiative. More than 3,500 Virginians participated in the program that encourages participants to set personal fitness and nutrition goals.

"Through strong and collaborative efforts in both the public and private sector, Virginia has achieved great success in reducing the rates of death from heart attacks," said Lieutenant Governor Bolling. "With cardiovascular disease the leading cause of death in the Commonwealth, this is good news. However, we need to keep working hard to get out the message that eating a balanced diet and getting more exercise can help reduce the risk of heart disease significantly."

The Lieutenant Governor was joined by Dr. Karen Remley, State Health Commissioner, and Dr. Charles Frazier, President of Virginia Health Information.

"This 44 percent decline means that 1,347 fewer Virginians died from heart attacks in 2008 than in 1998," said Dr. Remley. "Not only has the mortality rate dropped significantly, there has also been an 18 percent decline in heart attack hospitalization rates. As we applaud the overall reduction in the heart disease death rate, the rate of cardiac mortality in the African American community is almost double that compared to all other races. Therefore, we must continue to work hard as a community through education, innovation and access for cardiac care and heart disease prevention for all our citizens."

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in the Commonwealth. Heart disease is related to many health issues such as diabetes, obesity, high blood pressure and stroke. Efforts to combat these factors require working collaboration between Virginia's physicians, EMS, hospitals, American Heart Association, health plans and citizens taking personal responsibility for healthy lifestyle choices.

The Lieutenant Governor encouraged state employees to participate in the Governor's Challenge, a 13 week weight loss program with final weigh-in on National Employee Health and Fitness Day (May 19th). Participants can register at www.commonhealth.virginia.gov.

In March 2009, Lieutenant Governor Bolling received a major award from the American College of Cardiology (ACC) for his work to promote cardiovascular awareness through his "Lieutenant Governor's Challenge: Your Heart is in Your Hands" initiative. The initiative is a heart and cardiovascular health campaign designed to promote heart health education, healthier living, increased physical activity and improved diet and nutrition. The Challenge is a 12-week incentive based program. Virginians can log onto www.ltgovernorschallenge.us to accept The Challenge, create their own personalized website to view point values and track their progress.

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