Every 34 seconds, someone in the U.S. loses their life to heart disease. But with the right care, it can be prevented and managed.
In a recent article, we shared why it’s critical to prioritize heart health as part of overall care. To prevent heart disease from progressing or even occurring in the first place, people need regular access to care providers, screenings and ongoing management. Unfortunately, for many Americans, that isn’t the reality.
CVS Health is making preventive heart health care, early risk detection and ongoing condition management more accessible.
Primary care and screenings to support heart health
Regular screenings for blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol are important for catching issues early. People who are at risk of heart failure, including older adults and those with multiple chronic conditions, may also need monitoring for abnormal heart rhythms and changes in heart structure and function.
However, with a growing shortage of primary care providers in the U.S., more than one-third of Americans don’t have consistent access for these important health screenings. Primary care providers are often patients’ main source of ongoing preventive care, screenings and referrals to specialists, including cardiologists. That’s why CVS Health is focused on making it easier for people to access services that can help them prioritize prevention.
Personalized weight loss and lifestyle support
Excess weight can put strain on the heart and cause high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes—all of which increase the risk of heart disease. In the U.S., 71% of adults have an unhealthy weight, and about 42% have obesity. Losing weight is often challenging, but coaching and nutritional guidance can help people set realistic goals, develop and stick to a plan.
Smoking is another risk factor that contributes to one in four deaths from heart disease. Similar to losing weight, quitting smoking alone can be difficult—less than one in ten people who try to quit on their own are successful.