Death is an inevitable aspect of life, but there are ways we can adopt to promote longer and healthier lives. Understanding prevalent health risks within our communities empowers individuals to take a proactive approach to their well-being. NYRequirements.com has published this new infographic which looks at the top 5 causes of death in each country. Notably, cardiovascular disease emerges as the leading global cause of death, accounting for around 17.9 million deaths annually, primarily due to heart attacks and strokes (four out of five cases). Shockingly, a third of these fatalities occur before the age of 70.
A comprehensive report named “The Global Burden of Cardiovascular Diseases and Risk: A Compass for Future Health” outlines several “modifiable global cardiovascular risk factors.” These encompass ambient and household air pollution, lead exposure, extreme temperatures, high blood pressure, cholesterol, body mass index, kidney dysfunction, dietary risks, tobacco and secondhand smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, and low physical activity. The study, a collaboration between the American College of Cardiology Foundation, the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, and the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, sheds light on the preventable causes of heart disease based on data from 2021.
An intriguing discovery by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) indicates that 80% of premature heart disease and strokes can be avoided. Managing risk factors such as poor nutrition, physical inactivity, obesity, smoking, high blood pressure, cholesterol, and stress can yield significant improvements in heart health. Astonishingly, research published in The Lancet highlights that a poor diet alone is linked to one in five global deaths, surpassing the impact of tobacco and high blood pressure.
Within the United States, coronary heart disease stands as the most common cause of death. Disturbingly, one person loses their life to heart disease every 34 seconds, while a heart attack strikes every 40 seconds. Particularly concerning is the fact that one in five heart attacks goes unnoticed, resulting in undetected damage and missed opportunities for crucial health interventions. Heart disease claimed 697,000 lives in the U.S. in 2020, representing one in every five deaths.
