1 HAYWOOD ST., SUITE 425
ASHEVILLE, NC 28801
Percent of Adults in WNC with Heart Disease, by Year
Source: WNC Healthy Impact Community Health Survey, 2015-2021
What do the numbers say about heart disease and stroke?
Western North Carolina (WNC) Data:
Eight percent (8%) of adults in WNC have been diagnosed with heart disease in 2021. The following adult populations were significantly more likely to be diagnosed with heart disease in WNC:
- Men (10.7%)
- Adults aged 65+ (16.6%)
- Very Low Income (10.5%)
- Those identifying as either AI/AN, Indigenous (13.5%)
(WNCHN – WNC Healthy Impact Community Health Survey, 2021)
Differences in health outcomes across social groups, economic status, and racial/ethnic identity are closely linked with disparities in social determinants of health, which disproportionately burden individuals and communities who experience systemic disadvantage and/or discrimination. See our data story on the social determinants of health to learn more about how the conditions in which people are born, live, work, play, learn, worship, and age can influence their ability to achieve good health for themselves and their families.
The percent of adults in WNC who have been diagnosed with stroke in 2021 is similar to percentages for North Carolina (4.5%) and the US(4.3%).
(WNCHN – WNC Healthy Impact Community Health Survey, 2021)
Stroke in WNC, by Year
Source: WNC Healthy Impact Community Health Survey, 2015-2021
Diseases of the heart is ranked as the #1 or #2 leading cause of death in all 16 WNC counties in 2015-2019.
(N.C. State Center for Health Statistics, 2020)
Heart Disease Cause of Death by County, 2015-2019
Source: WNC Healthy Impact Community Health Survey, 2015-2019
This map shows the mortality rate per 100,000 people from diseases of the heart for all census tracts in western North Carolina from 2012 to 2016.
Source: NC SCHS 2012-2016 | Geographic Unit: Census Tract | Map Produced by: NC SCHS
The percent of adults in WNC diagnosed with high blood pressure is consistently higher than the percentages for North Carolina and the United States since 2012.
Percent of Adults in WNC with High Blood Pressure, by Year
Source: WNC Healthy Impact Community Health Survey, 2012-2021
1 in 3 adults in WNC have been diagnosed with high cholesterol in 2021.
Percent of Adults in WNC with High Cholesterol, by Year
Source: WNC Healthy Impact Community Health Survey, 2012-2021
Approximately 2 out of 3 adults in WNC were considered overweight or obese in 2021.
Percent of Adults Overweight or Obese in WNC, by Year
Source: WNC Healthy Impact Community Health Survey, 2012-2021
State and National Findings:
In 2016, North Carolina had a rate of 155.8 heart disease related deaths (per 100,000 population) compared to the US at 165.5.
By 2030, almost half (43.9%) of the US adult population is projected to have some form of Cardiovascular Disease.
In 2016, hospitalization charges for heart disease in North Carolina cost an estimated $5.1 billion dollars.
What did the region say is the story behind the heart disease and stroke numbers?
Source: WNCHN – Online Key Informant Survey, 2018
The items below are paraphrased themes that emerged from a 2018 regional survey of key informants. These responses do not necessarily:
- Reflect accurate or scientifically validated information about health determinants, outcomes, and/or strategies for change.
- Represent an exhaustive list of factors that can help or hurt efforts to address this key regional health issue.
The information in this section should be interpreted and used with care. It should be used only to help local health departments and agencies begin to understand community perceptions about local health issues. Communities are strongly encouraged to collect their own, local-level data to inform local planning and evaluation activities.
What’s Helping?
- Education related to diet, exercise and tobacco use
- Classes on healthy cooking and eating habits
- Overall health awareness efforts
- Cardiac rehab
- Community health fairs
- New trials and playgrounds
- Natural outdoor resources
- Fresh food available locally
What’s Hurting?
- Continued lack of patient knowledge of heart health
- The volume of individuals suffering and at risk for heart disease
- The need for more convenient and easily understandable heart health messaging
- Unhealthy behaviors such as poor nutrition, sedentary lifestyles and smoking
- Cost of healthy food options
What we are hearing:
“Employee health programs at the school system and county level reshaping culture to promote healthy lifestyles and allowing time for employees to go for a walk or other activities. Education programs surrounding healthier food choices. Efforts to increase parks in town.”
“Diabetic and healthy weight-related information is being more effectively communicated.”
“[A local care management program], serving the uninsured with a primary care home, getting people in for risk assessments and annual wellness visits.”
“People are oftentimes too busy with daily living to give it a thought. They think the possible bad implications are too far down the road to worry with it now. Often, people are only jolted when a cardiac event happens in their immediate family or to a close friend.”
“High deductibles or no health insurance prevents people from being tested. People might not even know they have heart problems until it’s too late.”
How is the region prioritizing this issue?
The western North Carolina region includes 17 communities: 16 counties and Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI)
In the 2021 CHA cycle, two communities prioritized heart disease.
- 10 communities chose a priority related to obesity, healthy eating, & active living.
- In addition, 5 communities prioritized chronic disease.
What is already happening regionally?
The list below represents a sample of what is happening in the region around this key health issue. Visit www.nc211.org for more resources.
- Chronic Disease Self-Management (Healthy Aging NC)
- Know It Control It (KICI) (Multiple local health departments and senior resource centers in the region)
- Worksite Wellness Grant (Mountain Wise)