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Deaths from Obesity & Heart Disease

Cardiovasular disease is the leading cause of death in America, claiming, on average, 40 percent of all deaths in the United States each year. Obesity, on the other hand, claims, on average, 16 percent of all deaths but is on its way to becoming the top preventable cause of death, replacing tobacco. Both cardiovascular disease and obesity are usually treatable and can be prevented through a healthy diet and exercise.

  1. Cardiovascular disease

    • Cardiovascular disease is a collective term referring to all diseases associated with the heart, veins or arteries including heart attacks and strokes. Every year more people die from cardiovascular disease than all forms of cancer combined. Cardiovascular disease may be prevented with a healthy diet and regular exercise. Diet and exercise in combination with medication and in some cases, surgery, are possible treatment options for cardiovascular disease.

    Obesity

    • When an individual's body mass index, or BMI, is greater than 30, he or she is considered obese. Obesity is a term used to describe excessive, unhealthy body weight. This differs from the term "overweight" which is used to describe individuals with a BMI greater than 25 but lower than 30 and "morbidly" obese which refers to individuals who have a BMI greater than 40 or are more than 100 lbs. overweight. Roughly 34 percent of adult Americans are considered overweight with an additional 31 percent qualifying as obese. Treatment for obesity includes weight reduction, usually through diet and exercise.

    Relationship Between Obesity and Heart Disease

    • Medical professionals consider obesity a major risk factor for heart disease since obesity raises blood cholesterol levels, increases blood pressure levels and may induce or worsen diabetes. Obese individuals are also at risk for high cholesterol, diabetes, heart attacks, heart failure and hypertension, all of which are diseases and conditions that put individuals at risk for heart disease.

    Obesity Related Dealth

    • Obesity claims the lives of approximately 400,000 Americans each year, or 16 percent of all deaths.

    Heart Disease Related Death

    • Cardiovascular diseases accounted for 35.3 percent of all deaths in 2005 which equates to 864,480 lives or 1 of every 2.8 deaths.

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