Understanding Heart Disease Is Ministry

by Chaplain Paul Slater

Understanding Heart Disease Can Provide Ministry Opportunities

February is American Heart Month, a fact that just about escaped me. Because heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States, and is one of major causes of disability, understanding heart disease should more of a priority for churches.

Almost 700,000 people die of heart disease in the United States annually, which amounts to nearly 29% of all U.S. deaths. Some of those are people in our congregations.

Heart Disease and Ministry Opportunities

Churches can take a lead in helping people understand the risks of cardiovascular diseases. Providing health related knowledge and heart disease information is a great beginning. Just letting parishioners know that heart disease is a term that includes several specific heart conditions applies to those we minister to.

Pastor, did you know that the most common heart disease in the United States is coronary heart disease, which often appears as a heart attack? Of course, maybe we do not talk about heart disease prevention because we have not taken a good look at ourselves in the mirror lately.

Share the Good News About Heart Disease Prevention

The chance of developing coronary heart disease can be reduced by taking some heart disease prevention steps, specific actions to not only prevent cardiovascular diseases but also controlling the factors that put people at greater risk.

The risk of coronary heart disease can be reduced by taking steps to prevent and control those adverse factors that put people at greater risk for heart disease and heart attack.

Additionally, knowing the signs and symptoms of heart attack, such as calling 911 right away, getting to a hospital are crucial to the most positive outcomes after having a heart attack.

Be Aware of the Diseases and Conditions That Put Your Heart at Risk

Heart disease awareness of factors which put people at increased risk for heart disease and stroke include:

1. High Blood Pressure


2. High Blood Cholesterol


3. Tobacco Use


4. Physical Inactivity


5. Dietary Factors


6. Overweight / obesity


7. Diabetes

So we Americans need to take notice that heart disease and stroke, the 2 major cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), are among the nation’s leading killers for both men and women among all racial and ethnic groups. To get a picture of these figures, here are some statistics that surely include people in your life.

According to the American Heart Association, (Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics � 2006 Update. Dallas: AHA, 2005):

1. More than 70 million Americans have some form of CVD, including high blood pressure, coronary heart disease, stroke, congestive heart failure, and other conditions.


2. This is about 1 in 3 adults.


3. It is estimated that 1.2 million Americans have a heart attack each year.


4. About 700,000 strokes occur each year among Americans.


5. CVD (cardiovascular disease) will cost the nation an estimated $403 billion in 2006, including health expenditures and lost productivity.

Steps Can We Take Regarding Heart Disease

Helping people recognize the signs and symptoms of heart attack are crucially important if people are to experience the most positive outcomes after having a heart attack.

People who have survived a heart attack can also work to reduce their risk of another heart attack or a stroke in the future.

Now wanting to go to heaven is a noble desire, but God does not want us to take the heart disease approach to getting there.