Half of You Don’t Even Know the Leading Cause of Death
Wise & Well Weekly: The newsletter helping you make tomorrow a little better than today
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THIS WEEK’S SPOTLIGHT
Ask 100 people what’s the leading cause of death in the US and odds are only 49 of them will know. Around 18 will says it’s cancer (wrong). And 16 will just flat say they have no clue. The correct answer is heart disease, which 49% of people correctly guessed in a new Harris Poll of 6,000 adults.
Coincidentally, nearly half of American adults (47%) also have high blood pressure, which is often Step 1 on the path to heart attacks, strokes and other deaths related to heart disease.
“Heart disease has now been the leading cause of death in this country for 100 years straight,” said Joseph Wu, MD, volunteer president of the American Heart Association and director of the Stanford Cardiovascular Institute. “Heart disease along with stroke, which is the fifth leading cause of death, claims more lives in the U.S. than all forms of cancer and chronic lower respiratory disease combined, based on the most recent data available. So, the results of this survey, finding that most people do not know the significant impact of heart disease, is discouraging and even a bit frightening.”
Our collective ignorance on what kills us shares another characteristic with high blood pressure, which often goes unnoticed, leaving us clueless to the problem. Most people have no symptoms. Until they do. That’s why it’s called the silent killer. You’re alive, you’re alive, you’re alive, then boom, you’re gone.
That’s not to say everyone with high blood pressure will die tomorrow, or even ever. But recognizing you have it is obviously vital to adjusting your lifestyle in order to protect your health and longevity, whether through more physical activity, diet changes, better sleep, or in some cases medication and other means.
“High blood pressure is a leading risk factor for heart disease and stroke, and yet with proper treatment and management it can be controlled and your risk for cardiovascular disease can be greatly reduced,” Wu said in a statement.
Wise & Well is all about helping you live a full, healthy life, improving your chances for a longer lifespan and healthspan and greater joy along the way, so let’s get to it…
HEALTHY READING
A selection of this week’s informative and insightful Wise & Well articles:
The Science of Green Tea: Beyond the Hype
Green tea extract is everywhere these days, promoted as a cure-all for just about whatever ails. But there’s a disconnect between the benefits of tea — which are genuine — and the effectiveness of the supplements, which are packed with uncertainty. This medical doctor and clinical nutrition resident unravels the research, advising the enjoyment of real tea and skepticism on supplements.
— By Denny Pencheva, MD
Who Are You? The Pursuit of Self-Knowledge
We are encouraged to figure out who we really are — what makes us tick, and why — in order to live a fully-formed life. But is that even possible? This book author and Wise & Well writer explores the baffling mysteries of the brain, along with the effects of time and place, and why it’s impossible to really know our true, core selves.
US Healthcare is Broken. How Can We Fix It?
Anyone who’s visited a doctor or hospital or needed physical therapy has almost surely been frustrated by the cost and complexity, perhaps even the lack of actual care. This physical therapist and writer, who has witnessed the problems as both a provider and consumer, explains why the system is so convoluted and how you can navigate it more smoothly.
— By Zachary Walston, PT, DPT, OCS
Sensitive to Gluten? Maybe You’re Eating the Wrong Kind
Some 13% of people are wise to avoid regular bread due to gluten sensitivity. Enter sourdough. If made properly — the old-fashioned way — sourdough can be an alternative that doesn’t cause digestive issues, even though it contains gluten. Confusing! But the writer, whose son stumbled on this solution, explains the science.
A Perfect Birth is Often a Fantasy
Infertility, pregnancy complications and traumatic delivery can each have a devastating effect on a woman’s psyche. As this clinical psychologist knows from her practice, and from personal experience, the best-laid plans in pregnancy and childbirth do not always prevail. Proper and complete support during and afterward is crucial.
— By Gail Post, Ph.D
… And from our sister site, Aha!:
Why Is Pee Yellow?
A stream of research reveals why urine isn’t (normally!) pink or green. Plus, how yellow is too yellow, and what colors to watch out for.
— By Annie Foley
RANDOM BIT OF WISDOM
“Millions long for immortality who don’t know what to do with themselves on a rainy Sunday afternoon.”
— Susan Ertz
Wise & Well writers are physicians, psychiatrists, research scientists, dieticians, fitness experts, journalists and other professionals who share their expertise to help you make tomorrow a little better than today. Like what you see? Please follow Wise & Well and/or subscribe to this newsletter. — Rob
