Top 10 Causes of Death in the U.S

Last Updated on January 7, 2021

The primary common disease is chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), with major warning signs and symptoms including breathlessness, persistent coughing with phlegm and frequent chest infections.

In fact, 80% of COPD deaths are attributed to smoking, so in order to prevent this disease, one must avoid second-hand smoke and quit smoking, as well as avoiding air pollution, chemical fumes and dust.

7. Accidents (unintentional injuries)

Accidents are another leading cause of deaths, especially for people between 1 to 44 years old. Mainly due to speeding and highway crashes, which result both in economic loss and social harm.

Any possible prevention measures? Accidents are unintentional by nature, but still there are several ways to lower the risk of unintentional death and injury, including seat-belt use and awareness of the dangers of excessive speed or driving while intoxicated.

Actually, between 1975 and 2008, seat belts were estimated to have saved 255,000 American lives.

6. Stroke (cerebrovascular diseases)

Cerebrovascular diseases are a result of issues with blood vessels that supply the brain. The most common types are stroke, TIA (transient ischemic attack), subarachnoid hemorrhage and vascular dementia. The risk of stroke increases with age and over 795,000 people in the US have a stroke every year.

The main risk factors for stroke are high blood pressure, high cholesterol and smoking, as well as unhealthy lifestyle choices and many other medical conditions. Every second matters during a stroke, and fast treatment can reduce brain damage caused by stroke.

Signs of stroke are all sudden and include, numbness or weakness on one side of the body, confusion, sight troubles, dizziness or loss of balance and severe headache. At the appearance of any of these symptoms, you are urged to call 9-1-1 immediately.

5. Alzheimer’s disease

All diseases and conditions characterized by a decline in memory or other cognitive abilities, are included in the term Dementia. Alzheimer’s is just one type of dementia (accounting 60-80% of its cases).