California leads the country in deaths from heart disease, losing over 65,000 individuals from the condition in 2021, beating out cancer and a slew of other major health issues as the leading cause of death. High blood pressure (also known as hypertension), which can lead to heart disease, is also one of the leading chronic conditions in California. These statistics are staggering, but they provide a clear message. Arguably the biggest risk to our state, for both mortality and day-to-day chronic health issues, points directly at our hearts.
But here’s the good news: Most heart disease is preventable through awareness and action.
The first step is education. What most people might not realize is that heart-related conditions can be sneaky. For example, almost 30% of adults in California have a diagnosis of hypertension. In fact, California had the second-highest mortality rate from hypertension in recent years, with over 5,500 residents dying from the disease. The problem is that nearly half of the people who have hypertension do not realize it, earning it the nickname the “silent killer.”
Another part of awareness is knowing the risk factors. While there are genetic components that cause some people to be at higher risk, there are several ways to prevent this disease. Smoking, having a high body mass index (BMI), and low physical activity make people more susceptible.
But other factors come into play, often making health conditions worse. A critical example is having access to nutritious foods. In California, an estimated 10% of households experience hunger. Beyond obvious implications, food insecurity has also been linked to diet-related diseases such as hypertension, heart disease, obesity, and diabetes. For older adults especially, it can lead to many chronic conditions, as well as malnutrition and vitamin deficiencies. It’s not just about ensuring people have enough food; it’s ensuring they have nutritious food to manage their heart health.
And the key lies in details just like that. For the state to make meaningful differences in these numbers, collaboration between community resources and organizations is critical. Independently, resources like food banks, health plans, and health providers can make an impact, but we make lasting changes at the intersection of all of them.
For example, to combat heart-related conditions in our state, it’s essential to support local interventions that can buffer the immediate and long-term consequences of these conditions. That often means continuing to support existing resources with deep ties to our communities, like the state’s strong network of food banks that incorporate nutrition elements into their programs. Great local examples include The Emergency Food Bank and Second Harvest.
A lesser-known but equally important component is social isolation. Patients with both depression and heart disease are more likely to have a heart attack. This makes senior centers integral, especially those with health and wellness programming, adult day care centers, or ride support for those with transportation limitations. SASCC (Saratoga Area Senior Coordinating Council) is a great example of such programs and offerings, and the Friendship Line provides a 24-hour warmline for non-emergency emotional support calls serving California. These offerings might be the only options some people have to interact with other people on a regular basis, and can be a critical tie to managing both depression and heart health.
The collaboration between health plans and providers is also instrumental in improving the process to intervene and support members effectively. For example, someone might qualify for Medicare but have unforeseen issues that still prevent them from reaching their optimal health, like struggling with housing insecurity or having trouble getting healthy food options. Part of the issue is that many people may not be aware of some of the most helpful organizations in our area without the help of other partner organizations that give them visibility to the community. At CCA Health California, we collaborate closely with our IPA providers to identify those that have multiple risks simultaneously so we can help mitigate them and connect people to the resources they need most.
Heart health is a formidable risk within our state. The good news is that we have the ability and the resources to help combat it. The first step is raising awareness about heart health and sharing the opportunities in our communities that can improve it. But health plans, providers, and community organizations need to collaborate in order to provide individualized healthcare and help those at risk. They are the best equipped to develop resources and support systems that can reach people before it’s too late.
