The World's Number One Cause of Death

The number one killer disease worldwide is cardiovascular disease (CVD), according to the World Health Organization (WHO). In fact, CVD accounted for about 17.1 million deaths in 2004. The top cardiovascular diseases are coronary heart disease and stroke. Of the 17.1 million deaths in 2004, coronary heart disease accounted for about 7.2 million deaths and stroke claimed the lives of 5.7 million people worldwide.

Cardiovascular disease is the term used for a group of diseases or disorders affecting the heart and blood vessels. Coronary heart disease and stroke are two of the most common cardiovascular diseases.

Other cardiovascular diseases include peripheral arterial disease, which affects the blood vessels supplying the limbs; rheumatic heart disease caused by rheumatic fever-a disease that damages the heart muscles and valves; congenital heart disease, which occurs due to malformations during development in the womb; deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism. Deep vein thrombosis occurs when a blood clot forms in the vein located deep within the body. This clot can be dislodged and travels toward the lung where it can block blood flow to the lungs causing pulmonary embolism.

Coronary heart disease occurs when the blood vessels supplying the heart muscles become blocked causing death to these muscles. This is more commonly known as heart attack. In stroke, the blood vessel/s supplying the brain is blocked causing the brain to lose its blood supply. Stroke can also be caused by bleeding from a blood vessel that supplies the brain.

The most common cause of blockage is the building up of fatty substances in the inner lining of the blood vessel.

Cigarette smoking, having unhealthy diet, and lack of physical activity increases a person's risk of developing heart attack and stroke. Also, being overweight, having high blood pressure and diabetes are major risk factors for these conditions.

The symptoms of heart attack and stroke are different. Heart attack symptoms may include pain or discomfort in the center of the chest, which may radiate to the arms, shoulders, or back; breathing difficulty or shortness of breath; nausea and vomiting; lightheadedness or fainting; or breaking out in a cold sweat.

Stroke symptoms may include sudden weakness or numbness of the face, arm or leg usually on one side of the body; speech difficulties; dizziness; difficulty walking, loss of balance and coordination; and sometimes fainting or unconsciousness.

A person having these signs or symptoms should seek medical help immediately. Both conditions can lead to death if not treated promptly.

The best ways to prevent heart attack and stroke are to quit smoking, eat healthy diet, and exercise. Maintaining a healthy blood pressure is necessary. Diabetics should achieve normal blood sugar levels, eat a healthy diet and maintain normal blood pressure levels.

While heart attack and stroke are major killer diseases worldwide, they are preventable.

References:

Cardiovascular Diseases (CVDs). World Health Organization (WHO). Accessed: December 7, 2009

What is Heart Attack? National Heart Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI). Accessed: December 7, 2009

About the NINDS Know Stroke Campaign. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. Accessed: December 7, 2009