Post by Admin on Feb 15, 2016 1:22:29 GMT
A 70-year-old man comes into his doctor's office for a routine check-up. His past medical history is significant for a heart attack, for which he takes a daily baby aspirin and a β-blocker. He practices safe habits and always wears his seat belt while driving. His health has been "great" for the past few years, although he is concerned about his wife because she recently suffered a mild stroke. He denies any visual loss or motor or sensory weakness. The patient's physical examination is unremarkable.
Which of the following is the leading cause of death among people age 65 years or older?
A.
Heart disease
B.
Malignancy
C.
Motor vehicle crashes
D.
Stroke
E.
Suicide
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Heart disease is the leading cause of death among the elderly (65 years old and older), as well as the leading cause of death if all ages are combined. The patient is at a particularly high risk for subsequent cardiac events due to his previous history of myocardial infarction. Other major risk factors for cardiac events are high blood pressure, hypercholesterolemia, and diabetes mellitus.
Elderly (population group)HypercholesterolemiaMyocardial InfarctionDiabetes Mellitus
B is not correct. 8% chose this.
Cancer is the second most common cause of death. It ranks after heart disease, but before stroke.
C is not correct. 2% chose this.
Motor vehicle crashes, and accidents in general, are leading causes of death. However, they are the most common cause of death among children (1-14 years old) and adolescents (15-24 years old) and not among the elderly.
AccidentsElderly (population group)
D is not correct. 6% chose this.
Stroke is the third most common cause of death among the elderly, behind heart disease and then cancer.
Elderly (population group)
E is not correct. 3% chose this.
Suicide is not the leading cause of death in the elderly. It is a common cause of death among adolescents.
Elderly (population group)
Bottom Line:
The correct answer is A. Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States, followed by cancer, stroke, and chronic lower respiratory diseases, in that order.
Which of the following is the leading cause of death among people age 65 years or older?
A.
Heart disease
B.
Malignancy
C.
Motor vehicle crashes
D.
Stroke
E.
Suicide
We value your feedback!
Heart disease is the leading cause of death among the elderly (65 years old and older), as well as the leading cause of death if all ages are combined. The patient is at a particularly high risk for subsequent cardiac events due to his previous history of myocardial infarction. Other major risk factors for cardiac events are high blood pressure, hypercholesterolemia, and diabetes mellitus.
Elderly (population group)HypercholesterolemiaMyocardial InfarctionDiabetes Mellitus
B is not correct. 8% chose this.
Cancer is the second most common cause of death. It ranks after heart disease, but before stroke.
C is not correct. 2% chose this.
Motor vehicle crashes, and accidents in general, are leading causes of death. However, they are the most common cause of death among children (1-14 years old) and adolescents (15-24 years old) and not among the elderly.
AccidentsElderly (population group)
D is not correct. 6% chose this.
Stroke is the third most common cause of death among the elderly, behind heart disease and then cancer.
Elderly (population group)
E is not correct. 3% chose this.
Suicide is not the leading cause of death in the elderly. It is a common cause of death among adolescents.
Elderly (population group)
Bottom Line:
The correct answer is A. Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States, followed by cancer, stroke, and chronic lower respiratory diseases, in that order.