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Heart Attacks Are No Longer a Leading Cause of Death. Here's What's Killing Us Instead

Heart Attacks Are No Longer a Leading Cause of Death. Here's What's Killing Us Instead

Introduction: A Quiet Shift in the Landscape of Mortality

For decades, the word "heart attack" evoked an image of sudden collapse, chest clutching, and emergency-room dashes. It was, for a long time, the leading cause of death globally — and rightly feared. But in recent years, an unexpected shift has occurred. Cardiovascular disease, though still serious, is no longer the singular, dominant killer it once was. Thanks to medical advances, public awareness, and lifestyle changes, the heart has become better protected.

Yet death hasn’t retreated — it’s simply changed its form. Today, other insidious and sometimes less-discussed threats are overtaking heart attacks as the primary causes of death. What are these new killers? And what do they say about how we live now?

In this article, we explore the silent assassins of the modern age — the diseases and conditions now claiming more lives than heart attacks — and what you can do to protect yourself in a rapidly shifting health landscape.

The Fall of the Heart Attack: A Public Health Victory

Before we explore what’s killing us now, it’s important to understand why heart attacks have declined.

1. Medical Advancements

Breakthroughs in cardiology, including:

Widespread use of cholesterol-lowering statins

Hypertension medications

Angioplasty and stenting techniques

Cardiac rehabilitation programs

Wider availability of defibrillators

These interventions have significantly improved outcomes for those at risk.

2. Public Health Campaigns

Governments and NGOs worldwide have launched campaigns about:

Smoking cessation

Diet improvement (reducing trans fats, salt)

Promoting physical activity

Blood pressure and cholesterol screenings

These efforts have reshaped public consciousness and behavior.

3. Preventive Care

More people are getting routine checkups and adopting preventive measures — catching heart issues early before they lead to fatal heart attacks.

4. Emergency Response

Faster ambulance response times, CPR training for the public, and improvements in emergency medicine have all reduced the fatality of acute cardiac events.

So, What’s Killing Us Now?

Heart attacks may be less deadly than before, but other conditions have stepped into the spotlight. These include:

1. Cancer: The New Leading Cause

Across many developed and even some developing countries, cancer has quietly surpassed heart disease as the leading cause of death.

Why?

Aging population: Cancer incidence increases with age.

Environmental exposures: Pollution, pesticides, and chemicals.

Lifestyle: Obesity, poor diet, alcohol, and smoking still play roles.

Detection vs. Cure Gap: We are better at detecting cancer than curing it.

The Rise of “Modern Cancers

Colorectal cancer in younger adults is rising.

Pancreatic cancer remains hard to detect and treat.

Liver cancer is growing due to obesity and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

HPV-related cancers are climbing despite available vaccines.

2. Neurodegenerative Diseases: The Aging Brain’s Silent Fall

Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia are becoming dominant killers, especially in countries with older populations.

What’s fueling this?

Longer lifespans: People live long enough to experience brain decline.

Poor brain health: Lack of mental stimulation, sedentary lifestyles, and processed foods.

Environmental toxins and chronic stress are also implicated.

3. Drug Overdoses: The Opioid Crisis and Beyond

In some countries — especially the U.S. and Canada — drug overdoses now kill more people than car accidents, homicides, or even some cancers.

Key contributors:

Prescription opioids (like oxycodone, fentanyl)

Synthetic drugs flooding illegal markets

Mental health crisis, trauma, and economic despair

Lack of access to addiction treatment and harm-reduction services

This is especially devastating among people aged 18–45 — once thought to be the healthiest demographic.

4. Suicide and Mental Health Disorders

Rising suicide rates reflect a deeper crisis in mental health. Depression, anxiety, and isolation — particularly among youth and the elderly — are becoming deadly.

Why?

Digital isolation: More screen time, less human connection.

Economic pressures

Stigma around mental health remains.

Limited access to psychiatric care and therapy.

5. Liver Disease: The Hidden Epidemic

Liver disease, especially non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and alcohol-related liver disease, is growing rapidly — often silently until too late.

Key drivers:

Obesity epidemic

High-sugar diets

Alcohol overuse, even at “social” levels

Viral hepatitis, especially in underserved populations

By the time symptoms emerge, the liver may already be severely damaged.

6. Diabetes and Metabolic Syndrome

While rarely listed as the direct cause of death, diabetes contributes to numerous fatal conditions, from kidney failure to stroke.

What’s fueling the surge?

Sedentary lifestyles

Processed food diets

Insulin resistance epidemic

Lack of early intervention

The Role of Lifestyle in New-Age Mortality

Many of today’s leading killers are not infectious — they’re chronic and often self-inflicted, tied to how we live.

1. The Processed Food Trap

Highly processed, low-nutrient foods are everywhere, loaded with:

Refined sugars

Trans fats

Artificial additives

These contribute to inflammation, metabolic disorders, and gut microbiome imbalances — a foundation for many modern diseases.

2. The Movement Crisis

The modern person sits for 9+ hours per day. This lack of movement is linked to:

Obesity

Insulin resistance

Poor circulation

Mental decline

3. Sleep Deprivation

People sleep less than ever, thanks to:

Screen time

Shift work

Stress

Chronic sleep debt increases risks for diabetes, cancer, stroke, and mood disorders.

4. Loneliness and Social Disconnection

Loneliness is as harmful as smoking 15 cigarettes a day, according to some studies. It’s linked to:

Higher mortality

Poorer immune function

Increased suicide and addiction risk

Environmental and Societal Contributors

It’s not just about personal habits. The world around us shapes our health in invisible ways.

1. Air Pollution

Smog and micro-particulates are linked to:

Lung cancer

Heart disease

Cognitive decline

Even “safe” levels of pollution can have cumulative effects over time.

2. Climate Change

As the planet heats:

Infectious diseases (like dengue) spread to new areas

Heatwaves cause direct deaths and worsen chronic conditions

Air quality declines increase respiratory deaths

3. Economic Inequality

Poorer individuals have higher mortality rates due to:

Less access to health care

Poor nutrition

Higher stress

Unsafe housing

Health is deeply tied to income and environment.

The Rise of “Deaths of Despair”

Coined by economists Anne Case and Angus Deaton, “deaths of despair” include suicide, drug overdose, and alcohol-related liver disease. They’re rising among:

Middle-aged men in the U.S.

Economically marginalized populations

Youth affected by hopelessness

These deaths aren’t caused by bacteria or genes — they’re societal, fueled by disconnection, meaninglessness, and structural neglect.

The New Frontlines of Prevention

To reduce these modern causes of death, we need a new model of health — one that focuses not just on survival, but on thriving.

1. Mental Health as a Priority

We must:

Normalize therapy

Expand access to mental health care

Reduce stigma

Teach emotional regulation from a young age

2. Reimagining Food Systems

Solutions include:

Taxes on ultra-processed foods

Subsidies for whole, fresh foods

Food education in schools

Urban farming and local food initiatives

3. Making Movement a Default

Cities and communities should:

Encourage walking and cycling

Build green spaces

Integrate movement into school and work routines

4. Social Health

Fostering connection is just a

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Stop Calling Yourself a Failure — Here’s How to Break That Mental Trap

If you’ve ever failed at something and immediately thought, “I’m a failure” — you’re not alone. But here’s the truth: failing doesn’t mean you ARE a failure. It just means you tried…and that’s a step most people never take.

In this video, I’ll show you how to reframe failure so it fuels your growth instead of crushing your confidence.

Let this be the mindset shift that helps you get back up and try again. 💡

What's one failure that you've learned a lot from lately?

🎥 If you want to learn more about this, click on one of the links below to watch the full video:

www.instagram.com/thomas_of_copenhagen

www.tiktok.com/@thomas_of_copenhagen

~ Thanks to all. Thanks for all. ~

#MentalHealth #MentalHealth #Depression #Anxiety #BipolarDisorder #BorderlinePersonalityDisorder #Addiction #dissociativedisorders #ObsessiveCompulsiveDisorder #ADHD #Fibromyalgia #EhlersDanlosSyndrome #PTSD #Cancer #RareDisease #Disability #Autism #Diabetes #EatingDisorders #ChronicIllness #ChronicPain #RheumatoidArthritis #Suicide #MightyTogether

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Strawberries

My granddaughters found this turtle snacking on wild strawberries in the yard. I think this little guy has the right idea!
Strawberries are a nutritious and delicious fruit that provide a variety of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Here is a breakdown of their nutritional content per 100 grams (about 1 cup):
Calories: 32
Carbohydrates: 7.7 grams
Fiber: 2 grams
Sugars: 4.9 grams
Fat: 0.3 grams
Protein: 0.7 grams
Vitamin C: 59 milligrams (98% DV)
Folate: 40 micrograms (10% DV)
Potassium: 204 milligrams (4% DV)
Manganese: 0.1 milligram (5% DV)
Strawberries are low in calories and fat.
They are a good source of vitamin C, an antioxidant that supports immune function.
Strawberries are also a good source of potassium, which helps regulate blood pressure.
They contain folate, an essential nutrient for pregnant women and cell growth.
Strawberries are a low-sugar fruit, making them a suitable option for people with diabetes or those watching their sugar intake.
They are cholesterol-free and have a negligible amount of sodium.
So, take it from a turtle, strawberries are delicious and nutritious!

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Life goes on

One of the hardest parts of adulting is realizing that life doesn’t slow down when we’re struggling — the deadlines, bills, and responsibilities keep piling up. But here’s a gentle reminder: you don’t have to take giant leaps to keep going. Break your day into the smallest possible steps — send one email, drink a glass of water, write down what’s stressing you. Progress isn’t about perfection, it’s about momentum.

What’s one small thing you can do right now to remind yourself you’re still moving forward?

~ Thanks to all. Thanks for all. ~

#MentalHealth #MentalHealth #Depression #Anxiety #BipolarDisorder #BorderlinePersonalityDisorder #Addiction #dissociativedisorders #ObsessiveCompulsiveDisorder #ADHD #Fibromyalgia #EhlersDanlosSyndrome #PTSD #Cancer #RareDisease #Disability #Autism #Diabetes #EatingDisorders #ChronicIllness #ChronicPain #RheumatoidArthritis #Suicide #MightyTogether

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🎯 What Jealousy Is Really Trying to Tell You

Feeling jealous or insecure doesn’t mean you’re weak — it means you’re human. But most people either shame themselves for feeling that way or let it eat them alive.

What if you could use that emotion as a tool for self-growth?

In this video, I share how to turn jealousy into fuel — to help you find direction, spark ambition, and grow into the person you want to become.

🎥 If you want to learn more, click on one of the links below to watch the full video:

www.instagram.com/thomas_of_copenhagen

www.tiktok.com/@thomas_of_copenhagen

~ Thanks to all. Thanks for all. ~

#MentalHealth #MentalHealth #Depression #Anxiety #BipolarDisorder #BorderlinePersonalityDisorder #Addiction #dissociativedisorders #ObsessiveCompulsiveDisorder #ADHD #Fibromyalgia #EhlersDanlosSyndrome #PTSD #Cancer #RareDisease #Disability #Autism #Diabetes #EatingDisorders #ChronicIllness #ChronicPain #RheumatoidArthritis #Suicide #MightyTogether

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Pause and take a look

Sometimes your mind will convince you there’s so much to worry about. When this happens, pause for a moment and notice: is there actually something happening right now, or is it just your thoughts racing ahead? You’re doing your best. That’s enough. Take a deep breath, ground yourself in gratitude, and remind yourself that life has a way of working itself out. Align your energy with trust instead of fear. Even small daily moments of gratitude or mindfulness help shift your mindset. All is well, even when it feels uncertain. Can you allow yourself to believe that today?

~ Thanks to all. Thanks for all. ~

#MentalHealth #MentalHealth #Depression #Anxiety #BipolarDisorder #BorderlinePersonalityDisorder #Addiction #dissociativedisorders #ObsessiveCompulsiveDisorder #ADHD #Fibromyalgia #EhlersDanlosSyndrome #PTSD #Cancer #RareDisease #Disability #Autism #Diabetes #EatingDisorders #ChronicIllness #ChronicPain #RheumatoidArthritis #Suicide #MightyTogether

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Meds day

All of my pills and injectable meds were due for a refill. Pauley sent the order on Friday last week. We got them delivered today. 2 bags, one had my 2 types of insulin and the other had 15 bottles of pills and 2 boxes of migraine abortives and a few diabetes supplies.
My previous PCP would shit a brick if he knew how out of control my health problems have gotten.
My tummy really hurts. I haven't been eating well for a few weeks. I've been eating junk food. I'm so depressed and I turned to comfort food.

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🎯 Anxiety Is a Message—Here’s How to Listen

Most people try to escape anxiety… but what if it’s actually trying to teach you something?

Your mind might be sending a signal—maybe you’re unprepared, in the wrong environment, or too focused on what others think.

Instead of pushing it away, pause and listen.

Anxiety can guide growth—if you let it. 💭💡

🎥 Watch the full video to learn more about how to do this by clicking on one of the links below:

www.instagram.com/thomas_of_copenhagen

www.tiktok.com/@thomas_of_copenhagen

~ Thanks to all. Thanks for all. ~

#MentalHealth #MentalHealth #Depression #Anxiety #BipolarDisorder #BorderlinePersonalityDisorder #Addiction #dissociativedisorders #ObsessiveCompulsiveDisorder #ADHD #Fibromyalgia #EhlersDanlosSyndrome #PTSD #Cancer #RareDisease #Disability #Autism #Diabetes #EatingDisorders #ChronicIllness #ChronicPain #RheumatoidArthritis #Suicide #MightyTogether

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I'm new here!

Hi, my name is shawa143. I'm here because I need support in managing my own complex medical and mental health needs while being a caretaker for my aging parents with Parkinson's and Alzheimer's disease.

#MightyTogether #Anxiety #Depression #PTSD #Diabetes

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My BG has been kinda low today

I've eaten quite a few carbs but my BG was just clocked in at 198. I've been very sweaty and overheated all day. I'm suddenly very nauseous with Chest pain. yay isn't diabetes fun!