Preventing Heart Disease and Stroke in Every Community

Every 34 seconds, someone in the U.S. loses their life to cardiovascular disease. Million Hearts is on a mission to change that by empowering communities with the tools and resources they need to prevent heart attacks and strokes—because every life matters.

Why It Matters

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in the U.S., disproportionately affecting underserved communities. Over 1.6 million heart attacks and strokes occur annually, claiming more than 870,000 lives each year. Million Hearts is here to change that by focusing on key areas that make the biggest impact:

Reducing tobacco use
Increasing physical activity
Managing blood pressure and cholesterol
Promoting cardiac rehabilitation

AMERICANS WITH MENTAL ILLNESSES HAVE A 70 PERCENT GREATER LIKELIHOOD OF SMOKING THAN THE GENERAL POPULATION
https://www.apa.org/monitor/2013/06/smoking

INDIVIDUALS WITH A DIAGNOSIS OF POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER (PTSD) ARE ABOUT 22% MORE LIKELY TO BE CURRENT SMOKERS THAN INDIVIDUALS WITHOUT PTSD.

  • Among current smokers with a lifetime history of depression, anxiety, anxiety with depression, or major depression, they smoke more cigarettes, smoke more frequently, and have a higher level of dependence.
  • Individuals with social anxiety are more likely to engage in heavy smoking and are less likely to successfully quit in comparison to individuals without social anxiety, depression, and other substance use disorders.
  • The presence or history of depression is associated with greater smoking severity and poorer smoking outcomes.
  • Individuals with serious mental illness die about 15 years earlier than individuals without serious mental illness who never smoke.
  • More than 80% of youth with substance use disorders report current tobacco use, most report daily smoking, and many become highly dependent, long-term tobacco users.
  • Individuals with alcohol use disorders smoke at rates between 34% and 80%; people with other substance use disorders smoke at rates between 49% and 98%.
  • Addiction to nicotine is the most common form of substance use in people with schizophrenia.

70 to 80% of individuals receiving substance use disorder treatment have expressed an interest in tobacco cessation.

https://www.lung.org/quit-smoking/smoking-facts/impact-of-tobacco-use/behavioral-health-tobacco-use

Want to learn more?

Visit Million Hearts for additional tools, resources, and ways to get involved in this life-saving initiative.

Join Us in Advancing Health Equity

Explore the powerful stories of CHWs and promotores who are transforming healthcare access in Georgia. Watch the videos and discover how their dedication is making a lasting impact in underserved communities.

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Education - Resources - Training

News

Navigate the healthcare system and access the care you need

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