Heart disease

Before 1900, very few people died of heart disease. Since then, heart disease has become a number one killer in adults. The age of technology has made life easier and made people more prone to heart disease.

Before the Industrial Revolution, most people made their living through some sort of manual labor. Walking was the major means of transportation. Laundry was scrubbed and wrung by hand. Stairs were climbed, carpets were beat, and butter was churned.
With the arrival of automation, life became less strenuous. Most manual labor was either replaced or assisted by machinery. Automobiles, washing machines, elevators, and vacuum cleaners became commonplace. Modern conveniences made physical activity unnecessary.
Along with the change in lifestyle came a change in diet. Previously, such high-fat treats had to be made by hand. Fried foods, like potato chips, hamburgers, and French fries, became staples in many diets.
The combination of a inactive lifestyle and a rich diet led to ...