In Your 50s? You Might be at Risk for These Common Health Problems

Approximately one in every four deaths in the United States annually is caused by heart disease. That’s over 600,000 people every year. And the scary part is that heart disease and other similar health concerns are actually becoming more and more of a problem. In fact, Americans currently in their 50s have been shown to have higher rates for diseases such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes compared to the previous generation. Here are some statistics on the dangers of these deadly diseases.

With heart disease, heart attacks are also a large concern. Every year, the number of Americans who have a heart attack is over 700,000. Doctors may be able to offer you a cardiovascular screening if you think you’re at risk. However, heart attacks are known to happen with very little warning, making them a frightening experience for anyone who has had to go through them. You can survive a heart attack, but it will permanently damage your heart depending on the size of the attack. And that’s not the only medical problem that Americans are more at risk for currently.

Almost one in three adults currently have high blood pressure. According to the American Heart Association, high blood pressure is also known as the “silent killer” because it doesn’t have very many noticeable symptoms. In fact, the only real way to get it checked is with a blood pressure cuff or blood pressure screening. Though you probably wouldn’t have to go through the latter until you’ve shown you’re at risk or have high blood pressure. Having high blood pressure can also put you at higher risk for other diseases such as heart attacks and heart disease, strokes, and possibly even an aneurysm.

Aneurysms are another similar disease that affects your artery walls. Specifically, these happen when you artery walls start to weaken and may become engorged. They grow to a dangerous size and may rupture. Like other diseases, genetics play a part in them, but if you have high blood pressure or high cholesterol, you’re at an increased risk to developing them. Aneurysm tests are recommended, as they can occur in a few different areas of the body, including the heart, brain, intestine, or a few other less common places. These are all considered different types of aneurysms and may require different aneurysm tests to see if you are at risk.

If you think you might be at risk for any of these diseases, it is highly recommended that you talk to a doctor about getting a medical screening. And if you do have the first two, make sure to talk to your doctor about an aneurysm test, as you could be more at risk than you realize.