What is the leading cause of death in the geriatric population?

• A. Hypertension
• B. Heart Disease
• C. Altered Mental Status
• D. Arthritis

Answer: (B)

In older adults, cardiovascular disease is the main driver of mortality. This encompasses conditions like coronary artery disease and heart failure that affect the heart and blood vessels. Age-related changes, long-standing risk factors (such as high blood pressure and high cholesterol), and other comorbidities elevate the risk of these heart-related problems becoming life-threatening, making them the leading cause of death in this population.

Hypertension is a major risk factor that helps lead to heart disease, but by itself it’s not the direct cause of death. Altered mental status is a symptom that can appear with many issues, not a primary cause of death. Arthritis is common and painful but does not typically cause death.