Heart disease rising in S.C., experts say

Heart disease is getting worse in South Carolina, home to fried chicken, fried fish and fried okra.

According to the S.C. Department of Public Health, more than 11,000 people died in South Carolina from heart disease in 2020. More recent federal data suggests the problem is getting worse. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), reported heart disease deaths surpassed 12,000 in 2022.

Lifestyle choices pose biggest risks

The CDC lists the main causes of cardiovascular diseases as lifestyle choices such as smoking, unhealthy diets and lack of exercise. Other causes, however, come into play for different demographics.

Information gathered by the University of South Carolina Institute for Cardiovascular Disease Research shows that state residents may already be predisposed to heart disease.

Based on research done by the institute, women are more likely to succumb to certain diseases due to stress. Females make up a major percentage of those who are suffering from heart disease in South Carolina. Similarly, the state’s African American population is disproportionately prone to high blood pressure, affecting two of every five Black South Carolinians. Even more at risk are those who live below the poverty line. As of last year, more than 17,000 Charlestonians fell into this category.

An urban farm in Charleston

In 2020, the American Heart Association (AHA) partnered with the Green Heart Project in Charleston to sponsor a half-acre ‘urban farm.’ The Urban Farm at Enston Home now produces more than 8,000 pounds of produce per year. The farm, near the intersection of Huger and King street, is considered a ‘food desert’ where access to affordable groceries is less than ideal.

The Green Heart Project is a Charleston-based nonprofit founded in 2009. According to its website, it encourages community growth through gardening.

“The urban farm became an organic example of an important life lesson — through hard work, teamwork and respect for the process, you can literally bear the fruits of your labor,” the site said.

The two organizations also funded the building of raised garden beds and food pantries in Charleston public schools. Hundreds of families now have access to fresh food, decreasing their risk of heart disease.

A focus on saving lives

After the federal government, the AHA is the largest nonprofit funding source for cardiovascular disease research. In 2022, the Charleston County Public Library announced its collaboration with the AHA to provide blood pressure monitoring kits. The kits can be checked out with any library card.

Charleston resident Jessica Rodgers, local marketing communications director for the AHA, urged fellow residents to familiarize themselves with heart health community resources and life-saving procedures.

“One of our biggest focuses is on blood pressure monitoring,” she said. “Another focus for us is to create a nation of lifesavers by educating the community about hands-only cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).”

“About 90% of people who suffer out-of-hospital cardiac arrests die. CPR, especially if performed immediately, can double or triple a cardiac arrest victim’s chance of survival.”