Heart Disease #1 Killer Of Men In Volusia County, Followed By Cancer, Accidental Death

Volusia County, FL - Heart disease kills more men in Volusia County than any other cause, followed by cancer and unintentional death, according to a special report by the Volusia County Department of Health.

The report cites the most recent data available, which is from 2011-2015. The rate of male deaths in Volusia County due to heart disease has outpaced the rate of male deaths from heart disease for Florida each year since 2011, according to the study. In addition, there has been a steady increase in the number of men dying from heart disease in Volusia County each year from 2011-2015. In 2015, the rate of male deaths from heart disease was 299.4 for every 100,000 people. That rate for Florida men was 250.2. Men in the county and in the state have a higher rate of deaths from heart disease than women in all cases.

Below are some helpful tips from the Department of Health in order to prevent heart disease:

• Help curb high blood pressure by limiting daily sodium intake to 2300 mg a day.
• Go for popcorn or rice cakes as healthy alternatives to high sugar snacks such as cookies or chips.
• Use low-fat or reduced fat dairy products to help lower cholesterol.
• Try to use less oil and margarine.

The report also cites a greater rate of men dying from cancer in Volusia County than the rate for Florida each year from 2011-2015. In 2015, that number stood at 211.1 men in Volusia County for every 100,000 people (184.8 for Florida). Prostate and lung cancer are the most prevalent cancers, according to the study, and prostate cancer has been on the rise for black, white, and Hispanic men since 2011. Black males in Volusia County had a higher prostate cancer death rate (48.4 for every 100,000 people) than white men (20) and Hispanic men (15.7). White men in Volusia County have the highest rate of lung cancer (64.7).

The following are some preventative measures to prevent lung and prostate cancer:

• If there is a family history of prostate cancer, take preventive measures and go through screening.
• Choosing a low-fat diet has been documented to be a way in reducing one's risk for prostate cancer.
• Maintain a healthy weight and exercise for 30 minutes a day.
• Stop smoking, and avoid being around secondhand smoke.
• Be sure to test your home for radon.

In addition, the Volusia DOH study says the top three causes of unintentional injury deaths for males in Volusia County are traffic accidents, accidents from slipping, tripping, or falling, and accidental poisoning from narcotics or hallucinogens.

Regular check-ups with a doctor are still the best way to detect any types of diseases since regular check-ups can help find diseases early, when they are more treatable, according to the DOH.

For more information on the Volusia DOH special study, click here.

Copyright Southern Stone Communications 2017.