By Life Quotes, Inc. Staff

The Journal of the American Heart Association reported in December 2010 that the mortality rate from heart disease decreased in the U.S. by 27.8 percent from 1997 to 2007,  and the mortality rate from stroke fell 44.8 percent during that same time frame,  while the total number of cardiovascular surgeries increased by 27 percent.

In 2007, heart disease and stroke cost $286 billion in health costs and lost productivity.

A recent article by Harvard Medical School identified the top five habits that, if not avoided, can contribute to cardiovascular disease.

The habits that the article lists are smoking, inactivity, being overweight, having an unhealthy diet and consuming too much alcohol.

The article includes statistics taken from a study of 4,900 men and women, which analyzed four of the five habits: smoking, inactivity, poor diet including a low intake of fruits and vegetables, and excessive drinking in the amount of 21 or more alcoholic beverages a week for men and 14 for women. The study found that compared to those who didn’t partake in any of the habits, those who had just one were 85 percent more likely to die during the 20 years that the study took place. If the subject engaged in all four habits, their relative likelihood of death was 349 percent higher.

The study shows that those who engage in these behaviors increase their risk of death. Though their increased likelihood of dying makes them amongst the people who may need life insurance the most, they could find it difficult to obtain coverage due to the health risks they pose for insurance companies. If  you are obese, have high blood pressure, suffer from alcoholism or smoke regularly, you could be charged a higher rate or declined life insurance coverage.

This article was originally published by Life Quotes, Inc.