TLC and the Business Insider have independently listed the top 10 causes of death in the United States. Many of them you’ve heard of before, some of them you may have never thought would make the list.  This lists 4 of the top 10 and talks about steps you can take now to prevent them from happening to you.

1)      Heart Disease. By and large, heart disease has taken the country by storm. In 2006, over 600,000 people suffered heart disease-related deaths. In 2009, the number dropped to just under that number. That statistic hasn’t changed very much over the years. Keep control of your heart disease by not smoking, maintaining a healthy weight through proper eating and consistent exercise, testing your blood pressure and cholesterol, and watching out for diabetes.

2)      Cancer. Tumors are a close second. They affect just under 600,000 people every year too. There are over 200 different types of cancer, all of which are extremely hard to remove when caught late. If there’s anything we’ve learned about this nasty disease, it’s that anyone can develop it. It’s a mutation of cells that destroys the proper functionality of your body. Early detection can often fix it. Prevention is about protection. There is not enough that can be said about eating healthy and exercising regularly though. Your body has a better chance of fighting mutations of any kind if it has the proper nutrients and strength to do so.

3)      Accidents. Accidents of all kinds take away over 100,000 lives per year. Car accidents and carelessness in particular are leading factors. Many car accidents are caused by inattentive and drunk driving. By carefully watching the road and designating a driver, many of these are avoidable. Careless accidents can be avoided by simply being aware of your actions. Be informed about risks involved and take proper safety techniques whenever possible.

4)      Flu and Pneumonia. This disease caused over 50,000 deaths in 2009 and has had similar numbers since.  This cause falls near the bottom of the list of ten, but it is something that you wouldn’t normally think about. With the advances of modern technology, it shouldn’t be an issue right? Wrong. The flu evolves yearly and is incredibly dangerous when not taken care of. Pneumonia can be treated, but it needs to be taken care of to actually do anything. For your health and others, take precautions to not get either—i.e. wash your hands regularly and avoid being around people with it. If you do find yourself with it, get to the doctor and take care of it as soon as possible.

These are just 4 of the list of 10, but they are helpful in giving us direction in staving off the leading causes of death in the United States. Live a long and happy life, free of these depressing thoughts.