What is the leading cause of death in the US?

• A. Cancer
• B. Stroke
• C. Heart disease
• D. Chronic lower respiratory disease

Answer: (C)

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States, meaning more people die from it than from any other single illness. It mainly includes problems where the heart itself or its blood vessels aren’t delivering blood as well as they should, most often coronary artery disease that narrows or blocks arteries supplying the heart. When blood flow is restricted, a heart attack can occur, and over time the heart can become weakened, leading to heart failure. Because these events are common and often fatal, heart disease outpaces cancers, strokes, and chronic lung diseases in mortality. Risk factors like high blood pressure, high cholesterol, smoking, diabetes, obesity, inactivity, and aging contribute to its development, so preventing it focuses on controlling these risks and following treatments that improve heart blood flow and function.