It’s heart disease. But it’s on no one’s radar.
The truth is that the general public in the US (and elsewhere) is living in a state of ill health and disease that is striking. While we pack on a few more pounds with extra turkey and gravy, feeling it’s an innocent celebratory activity to go in for seconds, thirds, or even fourths at a festive dinner, the results of our actions really deserve more attention. America, we are actually living in a disease-riddled mess!
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC, love ‘em or hate ‘em, they collect statistics you and I don’t), 60% of adults in the US are living with a chronic disease. And a further 4 in 10 adults (40%) are living with two or more of these health conditions. These chronic diseases include heart disease, cancer, chronic lung disease, stroke, Alzheimer’s disease, diabetes, and chronic kidney disease.
So much of this can be completely eliminated by good eating habits, and getting a bit of exercise. It’s really that simple! These leading causes of death and disability are currently costing the nation $3.8 trillion each year in health care costs. It’s time we do something about it!
The trouble is, a lot of people simply don’t care, however. They are going to die early and they don’t care. Why the majority of the population has simply given up on a nice life is a very puzzling topic and something for another blog. Here’s what we know about the other stuff.
Heart Disease is the Nation’s Leading Killer and It’s Largely Preventable
Every year, heart disease kills more people in the US than anything else. (The novel coronavirus is the second leading cause of death annually right now in the US, for a bit of perspective). The CDC estimates that around 610,000 people die from heart disease in the country annually. COVID-19 comes next, followed by cancer, lung disease, accidents, and stroke.
Given this reality, one would assume that heart disease would be something the general population fears just as much or more so, than any other way of dying. But the reality is not so! According to Harvard Health and a Gallup poll conducted in 2015, people surveyed in the US said their top health concern was obesity, followed by developing cancer, and suffering from diabetes.
Related: How Drinking Tea Can Lower Your Blood Pressure
While these are all valid health problems-and connected to heart disease-somehow the nation’s #1 leading cause of death ranked as only being mentioned by 1% of participants in the survey as a top health concern. Yes, 1%! Heart disease is on people’s minds only as frequently as is mental illness, (it also got 1%), the flu, and dying from AIDS. Let’s wake up, guys! The general public is misinformed. Heart disease should be a major focus of our attention.
What Causes Heart Disease?
So, what is heart disease? There are many different types of heart disease with varying symptoms. Many typical symptoms involve difficulty breathing, an abnormal heartbeat, a lack of energy, and chest pain. Some people inherit a genetic tendency to develop heart disease but lifestyle factors can also play a huge role in developing the disease.
Scientific studies have proven that smoking, using drugs, drinking alcohol, eating a poorly balanced diet, having a lot of stress, and getting very little exercise all contribute in strong ways towards your tendency to develop heart disease. It’s truly bad news. Heart disease can result in sudden cardiac arrest, death, heart failure, heart attack, stroke, aneurysm, and peripheral artery disease, among other troubles. It’s deadly.
What’s the solution? Lose weight, get active and motivated, be yourself, and talk to your doctor. The US can rise above this and be healthy and strong. It all just takes a little effort.
photo credits: Monster e/Shutterstock.com
