West
Michigan
Health Scorecard
October 2004
Volume
I, No. 2
Health Status
þ
Michigan ranks 11th worst of the fifty
US States for cardiovascular disease, age-adjusted mortality.
Data
Source – American Heart Association – “2004 Heart and Stroke Statistical
Update”
þ
West Central Michigan’s rate for heart disease deaths is
223.8 per 100,000 West Michigan residents. This rate is lower than the State
rate of 273.8 and the US rate of 247.8. In
West Michigan, Osceola County has the highest rate at 314.4 and Ottawa County
the lowest at 187.3. (Rates based on three-year average 2000-2002, age-adjusted).
Data
Source – Michigan Department of Community Health
þ
Citizens in West
Central Michigan underwent an average of 3,771 angioplasty procedures per year
during 2000-2002, or a rate of 270.7 per 100,000 population, compared to
Michigan’s rate of 398.3. 1,370
open-heart surgeries were performed for an average rate for West Central
Michigan of 98.3 compared to Michigan’s rate of 126.2 for 2000-2002.
Data Source – Michigan Health
and Hospital Association
Access to Health Care
þ
Three hospitals in West Central Michigan perform
open-heart surgery. The three-year
averages for number of procedures performed 2000-2002 are Spectrum Health –
Butterworth, 655, Spectrum Health – Blodgett, 553, and Mercy General Health
Partners, 388. Data Source –
The Economic Alliance for Michigan – “When It’s Surgery on Your Heart, Ask
Lots of Questions First, “ April 2004
þ
Delay
in Seeking Treatment – a study by Butterworth Hospital in the mid-1990s showed
that of 203 patients, 49.8% experiencing heart attack symptoms waited an hour
before seeking treatment, 24.4% waited one to six hours, 11% waited six to
twelve hours and 12% waited more than 12 hours. Significant delays for seeking
medical care for the symptoms of heart attack result in a substantial incidence
of sudden death among patients who might otherwise survive. New medications and
treatments given in the first hour can sometimes stop a heart attack in
progress. Data Source – Spectrum Health
Quality of Health Care
þ
The National Committee for Quality
Assurance (NCQA) has identified five quality of care performance measures for
preventing & treating cardiovascular disease.
The goal is to reach 100% compliance. Current national rates for the five
quality of care measures are reflective of managed care plans, Medicaid and
Medicare data: (1) Use of beta blockers following a heart
attack (87.5%), (2) cholesterol screening in patients with
coronary heart disease (60%), (3) cholesterol control in patients
with coronary heart disease (43.5%), (4) control of high blood
pressure (49%) and (5) control of diabetes (44%). These rates
are woefully inadequate and all five measures are in need of improvement. Data
Source – American Heart Association – “2004 Heart and Stroke Statistical
Update”
Cost of Health Insurance
þ
According to the Annual Survey of Health Plan
Costs conducted by The Employers’ Association and the Alliance for Health,
West Michigan employers experienced an 11.5% average increase in the cost of
health coverage premiums in 2004. This is the fifth consecutive year of double
digit increases. Nationally, the
average increase was 11.2% according to the Kaiser Family Foundation.
þ
The average monthly cost to West Michigan
employers for health care coverage for a single person plan is $291 while a
family plan is $742. These figures
are just a little less than the averages reported by Kaiser of $318 and $800.
þ
In West Michigan, employees personally contribute
an average 25% of the cost for their coverage.
National statistics from the Kaiser Family Foundation & Health
Research & Educational Trust, Annual Employer Survey, 9/9/04.
Feature
Article
– “Don’t
Delay – Seek Treatment for Chest Pain”
What did former
President Bill Clinton do correctly when he recently experienced symptoms of a
heart attack? He sought treatment
right away.
Amazingly, many people
who experience heart attack symptoms, such as chest pain, delay seeking
treatment. It has been shown that
the sooner treatment is started when heart attack occurs, the less permanent
damage will occur. Also, heart
attack victims can benefit from new medications and treatments that can stop
some heart attacks in progress, reducing disability and saving lives. But to be
effective, these drugs must be given relatively quickly after heart attack
symptoms first appear. Many refer to the “goldenhour” or
first hour from onset of symptoms, as the opportune time to begin treatment.
A study done by
Butterworth Hospital in the mid 1990s drew attention to this delay in seeking
treatment. Of 203 patients studied,
49.8% sought treatment in the first hour of experiencing symptoms.
24.4% waited up to six hours, 11% waited up to twelve hours and 12%
waited more than twelve hours before seeking treatment!
Over the past three
years, the average amount of time it takes people in West Michigan to arrive at
an emergency department for treatment of heart attack has improved.
Spectrum Health reported that the average time in 2001 was two hours and
15 minutes, 2002 – one hour and 47 minutes and 2003 – one hour and 30
minutes.
Why do people delay
seeking treatment? Many think the
symptoms are merely indigestion. Many
wait to see if the symptoms will go away. Many
do not want to trouble anyone. Many
do not realize the importance of the symptoms.
And many just do not recognize the symptoms as those of a heart attack.
What are typical heart attack symptoms? Only half of the men and very few women who have a heart attack experience “typical” symptoms. These may include:
P
Discomfort in the center of the chest that lasts
more than a few minutes, or that goes away and comes back. It can feel like
uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain.
P
Heartburn or indigestion in the area of the
breastbone
P
Discomfort or pain in other areas of the upper
body, such as one or both arms, the back, shoulder, neck, jaw or stomach.
P
Shortness of breath, sweating, nausea, vomiting
or lightheadedness
Women often experience
“atypical” symptoms, such as:
P
Unusual weakness and fatigue, sleep disturbances
P
Anxiety
P
Indigestion
P
Unexplained shortness of breath
P
Only 30% report chest discomfort and describe it
as aching, tightness or pressure
If you suspect that
symptoms you may be experiencing are related to your heart, the most important
thing to do is to seek medical care. Don’t delay and don’t drive yourself
or a family member to the hospital unless there is no other way to get there.
Call 9-1-1.
It is almost always the fastest way to get lifesaving treatment.
Emergency medical services staff can begin treatment when they arrive —sooner
than if someone gets to the hospital by car. The staff is also trained to revive
someone whose heart has stopped. You are also likely to get treated faster in
the hospital if you arrive by ambulance. Remember
the “golden hour” to afford yourself the best opportunity for survival.
For more information
about heart disease and its prevention, contact your local American Heart
Association, or visit http://www.americanheart.org/