New Report Reveals States with Highest Rates of Those Who Have Survived a Heart Attack

In 2014, the percentage of adults reporting a history of heart attack was 3.9% nationwide. This has trended in a downward direction since 2008, when 4.5% of U.S. adults indicated history of heart attack. However, many people who have had a heart attack may not be making the lifestyle changes that could prevent or reverse further cardiac disease, according to new research based on the Gallup-Sharecare Well-Being Index.

The “State of American Well-Being: Self-Reported Incidence of Heart Attack by State” report, first released by American Heart Association News, reveals that Americans who have experienced a heart attack are more likely than those who have never had a heart attack to be obese, to smoke and to say they experience a lot of stress. Heart attack survivors also are less likely to exercise regularly. Previous Gallup and Sharecare research has shown that having a heart attack doubles the odds of being diagnosed with depression.

The report also provides a ranking of all 50 states based on self-reported incidence of heart attack. Utah ranks lowest for those who have had a heart attack, followed by Hawaii, California, Alaska and Colorado. Not surprisingly, most of these states are also in the lowest two quintiles for state obesity, with the exception of Alaska, which ranked 24th in 2014 for obesity.

You can read more about the rankings here and download a copy of the report here.

The Gallup-Sharecare Well-Being Index uses a holistic definition of well-being and self-reported data from individuals across the globe to create a unique view of societies’ progress on the elements that matter most to well-being: purpose, social, financial, community and physical. It is the most proven, mature and comprehensive measure of well-being in populations. Previous Gallup and Sharecare research shows that high well-being closely relates to key health outcomes such as lower rates of healthcare utilization, lower workplace absenteeism and better workplace performance, change in obesity status and new onset disease burden.

To discover where other states — including yours — fall within the rankings, download a copy of the report today. You can also subscribe to content from the Well-Being Index; by subscribing, we’ll let you know when we release new reports and insights from the Well-Being Index.