According to the report, nearly 2,400 Americans
die of CVD each day. That amounts to an average of
one death every 36 seconds. In addition, an estimated
79,400,000 American adults (one in three) have one or
more types of cardiovascular disease. Of those,
37,500,000 were estimated to be age 65 or older.
By the 1970s, research showed the link between
chronic diseases like heart disease and stroke and a
diet high in fat, saturated fat, cholesterol, and sodium.
Research in the decades since then has affirmed the
connection between poor diet and disease.
During those years, Americans ate more of the
foods that put them at risk for heart disease. The
average calorie consumption rose 16% between 1970
and 2003, according to USDA figures cited in the
heart association report.
Information from the National Health and Nutri-
tion Examination Survey for 1999-2000 indicated that
Americans have not yet accepted the nutritional guide-
lines of a heart health diet. According to the report:
The average daily intake of total fat in was 79 grams,
with men averaging 91 grams and women averaging
67 grams.
The average daily intake of saturated fat was 27
grams, with 31 grams for men and 23 grams for
women.
The average amount of dietary fiber consumed was
15.6 grams, below the recommended amount of 25
grams or more. Men ate 17.8 grams of fiber and
women consumed 13.6 grams.
In the 21st century, obesity in the United States is
considered an epidemic. Federal agencies and organ-
izations are responding with a range of programs to
promote the benefits of a healthy heart diet.Resources
BOOKS
American Heart Association.The new American Heart
Association Cookbook.Clarkson Potter/Publishers,
2004.
ORGANIZATIONS
American Dietetic Association, 120 South Riverside Plaza,
Suite 2000, Chicago, IL 60606. (800) 877-1600.<http://
eatright.org>.
American Heart Association National Center, 7272 Green-
ville Ave., Dallas, TX 75231. (800) 242-8721.<http://
http://www.americanheart.org.>.
WEBSITES
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.Choosing Foods
on the Heart Healthy Diet .<http://www.nhlbisup-
port.com/cgi-bin/chd1/diet1.cgi>(April 21, 2007).National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.Introduction to
the TLC Diet.<http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/cgi-bin/chd/
step2intro.cgi>(April 21, 2007).
United States Department of Agriculture.MyPyramid Plan.
<http://www.mypyramid.gov/mypyramid/index.
aspx>(April 21, 2007).
OTHER
American Heart Association.American heart Association’s
Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics— 2007 Update
<http://www.americanheart.org/presenter
.jhtml?identifier=1200026>(April 9, 2007).
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention National Center
for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion.
Physical Activity and Good Nutrition: Essential Elements
to Prevent Chronic Diseases and Obesity At A Glance
2007.<http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/publications/aag/
dnpa.htm>(April 9, 2007).
Davis, Carole and Sallo, Etta; U.S. Department of Agricul-
tureDietary Recommendations and How They Have
Changed Over Time.<http://www.ers.usda.gov/
publications/aib750/aib750b.pdf>(April 21, 2007).
U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Department of
Health and Human Services.Dietary Guidelines for
Americans 2005.<http://www.health.gov/dietary
guidelines/dga2005/document>(April 9, 2007).Liz SwainHeartburn
Definition
Heartburn is a burning sensation in the chest that
can extend to the neck, throat, and face; it is worsened
by bending or lying down. It is the primary symptom
of gastroesophageal reflux, which is the movement of
stomach acid into the esophagus. On rare occasions, it
is due to gastritis (stomach lining inflammation).Description
More than one-third of the population is afflicted
by heartburn, with about one-tenth afflicted daily.
Infrequent heartburn is usually without serious con-
sequences, but chronic or frequent heartburn (recur-
ring more than twice per week) can have severe
consequences. Accordingly, early management is
important.
Understanding heartburn depends on under-
standing the structure and action of the esophagus.
The esophagus is a tube connecting the throat to the
stomach. It is about 10 in (25 cm) long in adults, lined
with squamous (plate-like) epithelial cells, coated withHeartburn