In 2008, the National Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention (NHDSP) program began to emphasize the ABCS to address these chronic diseases. I read about the ABCS in the National Prevention Strategy document which I recently mentioned in the blog.
Here is the general basis of the ABCS. They are measures that health care professionals should address with all of their patients, including YOU.
A is for aspirin (reduces heart attack risk for many people)
B is for controlling blood pressure or hypertension
C is for keeping LDL cholesterol levels normal - prevention or medication
S is for smoking - quitting or never starting
Here is an interactive map that shows the number of cases of heart disease and stroke per state and by county within states. It is a publication of the CDC.
