Scariest Diseases That Come With Age

Aging is a complex process and while it comes with wisdom, increased happiness, and other benefits, according to research, there are certain diseases you are at a higher risk for as more birthdays pass. Merely living takes a toll on your body. Your joints experience wear and tear, your heart changes, your muscles lose strength, your bones lose density, and even your brain becomes less efficient and smaller. Staying active and eating wholesome foods goes a long way in helping maintain good health. However, no specific effort can entirely prevent disease. Knowing more about some of the most common and scary diseases related to aging enables you to take preventative measures and better cope with them should they develop.

Atherosclerosis

The arteries are responsible for delivering blood rich with oxygen throughout your body. Atherosclerosis occurs when the arteries have plaque accumulation. The plaque is generally comprised of calcium, cholesterol, fat, and other substances in your blood. As the plaque accumulates, it hardens, and this can reduce how much oxygenated blood is traveling throughout your body. In some cases, an artery can have a complete blockage.

Atherosclerosis is progressive and tends to occur slowly. It may result from high cholesterol, blood pressure or triglycerides, inflammation, insulin resistance or diabetes, tobacco use or obesity. When left untreated, this condition increases the risk of stroke and heart attack. The symptoms experienced typically depend on which arteries are affected, but may include chest pressure or pain, coronary artery disease, temporary vision loss, carotid artery disease, extremity weakness or numbness, aneurysms, peripheral artery disease, kidney failure, and high blood pressure.

Next, learn how cardiovascular disease and age are closely related.

Cardiovascular Disease

In the United States, approximately 610,000 individuals die due to diseases of the cardiovascular system each year. Cardiovascular disease is used to describe multiple conditions that may affect the cardiovascular system, including coronary heart disease, arrhythmias, heart failure, diseases of the heart valves, high blood pressure, congenital heart disease, peripheral artery disease, and cardiomyopathy. The exact causes depend on the specific disease, but the following may contribute to all diseases of the cardiovascular system: congenital heart defects, smoking, drug or alcohol abuse, poor diet, chronic stress, high cholesterol, obesity, poor hygiene, diabetes, history of radiation or chemotherapy, and a sedentary lifestyle. The symptoms and complications depend on the exact disease you have and may include chest discomfort, abnormal or irregular heart rate, heart attack, dizziness, getting easily fatigued, stroke, shortness of breath, sudden cardiac arrest, and feet or ankle swelling.

Continue reading to discover the number one disease that comes with age.