Mississippi Has One Of The Highest Heart Disease Mortality Rates In America

If you've ever been to Mississippi, your heart will be warmed by the Southern charm of its people. From Elvis's birthplace in Tupelo down to the Gulf shores of Biloxi, you can enjoy Mississippi's iconic cuisine. You start with some fried dill pickles, then get a taste of fried catfish with a side of comeback sauce. And of course, a trip to the Mississippi Delta isn't complete until you've had some Mississippi Mud Pie.

Sadly, like other states in the Deep South, Mississippi ranks as one of the top states in America in heart disease mortality rates, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Each year, there are 248 deaths from heart disease for every 100,000 people in Mississippi, second only to Oklahoma. Residents in Mississippi also have a life expectancy of 70.9, which is the lowest in the United States. The U.S. average life expectancy is 76.4.

It's not as though heart disease doesn't affect other states; heart disease remains the number one killer not only in the United States but also in the rest of the world. Yet heart disease mortality rates are higher in Mississippi and nearby states for several reasons.

Three main risk factors of heart disease are high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and type 2 diabetes. When you have high blood pressure, your heart has to work harder to pump blood through your body. This can make your heart muscle grow weaker. Your blood vessels can also grow thicker if you have high blood pressure. The CDC says 44% of Mississippi residents have high blood pressure compared to the national average of 32.4% (via United Health Foundation).

High blood pressure can become particularly problematic if you also have high cholesterol. Fatty deposits can further constrict the flow of blood through your arteries and form blood clots if these deposits break off. This increases your risk of a heart attack or stroke. Mississippi ranks 5th in the nation in high cholesterol behind West Virginia, Alabama, Kansas, and Virginia, according to the CDC.

Although type 2 diabetes is caused by chronically high blood sugar, uncontrolled diabetes can wear out your blood vessels. Obesity is associated with more than half of type 2 diabetes cases in the United States (per the CDC). According to the American Diabetes Association, about 15% of Mississippi residents have diabetes, and almost 40% have obesity. Smoking also damages your blood vessels, and the American Lung Association says that more than 17% of Mississippi residents smoke cigarettes.

Mississippi residents don't necessarily have to give up their biscuits and gravy to reduce their risk of heart disease. However, it might mean balancing out these rich foods with some heart-healthy choices. A serving of biscuits and gravy has 6 grams of saturated fat and 900 milligrams of sodium, which can raise your cholesterol and blood pressure. Adding some cruciferous vegetables, such as Brussels sprouts, can help lower your cholesterol while providing antioxidants to improve your heart health. The Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend limiting your daily saturated fat intake to no more than 10% of your calories. Your added sugar intake should also be no more than 10% of your daily calories, and sodium should be less than 2,300 milligrams a day.

According to the American Lung Association, more than 6 out of 10 smokers in Mississippi attempted to quit in 2022. Quitting smoking can significantly reduce your risk of heart disease. Exercise can also keep your heart and blood vessels healthy. Most guidelines recommend at least 150 minutes of moderate exercise such as brisk walking per week; that's just 30 minutes, five days a week. Exercise and a healthy diet can also help keep your weight in a healthy range.