The scariest diseases are those which kill the most people each year. What do you think would be the list of the deadliest diseases in the U.S.? According to the official data, these illnesses take away more than 1.6 million lives each year.

1. Heart disease

More than 630,000 Americans died because of heart disease in 2015, making it the leading condition in the U.S. The most common type of heart disease is coronary heart disease (CHD), a buildup of plaque (fatty deposits) in the coronary artery.

2. Cancer

Cancer, or as the CDC call it, malignant neoplasms, killed nearly 600,000 people in the U.S. in 2015. Lung cancer is responsible for a third of those deaths.

3. Chronic lower respiratory diseases

Approximately 155,000 people died because of chronic lower respiratory diseases in 2015. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which includes emphysema and chronic bronchitis, is the deadliest type among those.

4. Stroke

Stroke (cerebrovascular disease) killed around 140,000 Americans in 2015. Stroke happens when poor blood flow (lack of blood flow or bleeding) causes death of brain cells.

5. Alzheimer’s disease

So many companies have created once-promising drugs to fight the disease. Nonetheless, more than 100,000 Americans still die each year from this incurable condition.

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With the numbers above, it becomes obvious how important it is to lead a healthy lifestyle and undergo regular medical checkups. Take care and stay healthy!