Cardio deaths, costs on rise

Heart attack, stroke, and other cardiovascular diseases could cost about $15 billion more this year than last - $274.2 billion up from $259.1 billion. Costs are rising for several reasons, stated Martha N. Hill, RN, PhD, president of the American Heart Association in Dallas, in a press release. The population is increasing and aging, and the new, better ways to treat diseases are expensive.

Hospital and nursing home costs are estimated at $120 billion, and physician and other professional services account for $26 billion. In 1995, a total of 573,000 CABG procedures were performed at an average cost of $45,000 per surgery. 1994 saw a total of 501,000 bypasses. In 1995 a total of 419,000 PTCA procedures were performed at an average cost of $20,370. 1994 saw a total of 404,000 procedures.

Deaths are up too. Congestive heart failure deaths increased 115.7% from 1979 to 1995, and hospitalizations rose 131.3%. Stroke-related deaths are up 10% since 1991, and hospitalizations have increased 24% from 1979 to 1995.

About 97 million Americans - 51% - have blood cholesterol levels of 200 mg/dL or higher. Of those, 20% have levels of at least 240 mg/dL.