Why Alabamians Need to learn CPR

Alabamians need to learn CPR because our state is the third leading state for death by heart disease. More than half of the top ten states listed as worst for heart disease are in the south. The study by Nice RX for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services found heart disease remains America’s leading killer. Data from 2025 is still be compiled by the government but the American Heart Association preliminary tracking lists 915,900 deaths from various heart disease related complications. That averages 2,500 heart relate deaths a day in the United States.

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The top ten states for heart disease related deaths are:

1. Oklahoma,
2. Mississippi
3. Alabama
4. Arkansas
5. Louisian
6. Tennessee
7. West Virginia
8. Michigan
9. Kentucky
10. Missouri

Alabama's age-adjusted death rate for heart disease is approximately 223.9 to 227.3 deaths per 100,00 residents. That accounts for some 15,000 heart related deaths annually.

In Tuscaloosa County ADPH data reveals 216,5 deaths per 10,000 residents. The adult coronary heart disease rate is roughly 5.8%.

About 42% of adults in West Central Alabama have been diagnosed with high blood pressure - a key heart attack risk indicator.

The good news is a recent trend is showing that the mortality rate in Tuscaloosa has been declining, dropping about -4.5% in recent years according to ADPH.

NiceRx found states with the highest heart disease death rates also tend to have high obesity rates, but there are other complications as well. Among those are limited access to healthcare, hypertension (high blood pressure) and inactivity.

The Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH) lists five major symptoms of a heart attack:

1. Pain or discomfort in the jaw, neck or back,
2. Feeling weak, light-headed, or faint,
3. Chest pain or discomfort,
4. Pain or discomfort in arms or shoulder, and
5. Shortness of breath.

If you or you suspect someone is having a heart attack it is imperative to call 9-1-1 immediately for emergency medical care. The "Golden Hour" is the first hour after the heart attack that has emerged as a critical time frame during which a quick and appropriate medical intervention may enhance the chance of survival of the patient.

Doctors encourage everyone to learn CPR. They also say more public places need defibrillators (AED) paddles.

See the ADPH website for further information.