This is the biggest killer in Florida. How can you avoid it?

Some areas of Florida may be healthier than others, but there are two afflictions that are leading the way in fatalities across the state.

That’s according to the latest data from the Florida Department of Health, which examines the leading causes of death for Florida residents.

Per the data, causes like stroke and cancer are big killers in the state, though the leading cause of death in 2023 was heart disease — especially among older Florida residents.

That’s in line with CDC figures, which show that heart disease is the leading killer nationwide, as well.

“Heart disease” can actually refer to a few different types of conditions, such as heart attacks and heart failure.

However, there are some common risk factors for heart disease, including high blood pressure, high cholesterol and smoking, CDC officials report.

“About half of people in the United States have at least one of these three risk factors,” the agency’s website reads.

Other medical conditions and lifestyle choices that could put you at risk for heart disease include diabetes, obesity, unhealthy diets, physical inactivity, and excessive alcohol.

But the FDOH has provided some tips for avoiding heart disease as you get older.

• Eat a healthy diet — Click here for tips on effective food choices to avoid heart disease.
• Maintain a healthy weight — You can check your Body Mass Index here.
• Get enough physical activity — Adults are encouraged to get around 150 minutes of moderate activity per week (or 75 minutes for vigorous activity).
• Don’t smoke — Breathing in cigarette smoke can get in the way of your body’s ability to deliver oxygen-rich blood to your heart.
• Limit alcohol use — Drinking too heavily or binge drinking can greatly raise your risk of heart disease.

Meanwhile, the leading causes of death in Florida are also broken down by age groups. That data is as follows:

*The number of deaths per 100,000 people