Preventing Heart Disease Heart Disease Is a Life-Threatening Condition That Kills Millions of Kills

Preventing Heart Disease
Heart disease is a life-threatening condition that kills millions of people every year. In fact, heart disease is the number one killer of human beings worldwide; over thirty percent of deaths every year are due to some form of cardiovascular disease. Although there are many different types of medications and surgical procedures that can treat heart disease, prevention is the most important factor in reducing the number of deaths.
Proper nutrition is important in preventing heart disease. The recommended diet for a healthy heart is low in saturated fats, cholesterol, salt, and refined sugar. The diet should be high in fiber, whole grains, fruits, and vegetables.
Smoking and excessive alcohol consumption should be avoided. Smoking increases the risk for heart disease at least ten-fold, and drinking too much alcohol can raise the levels of some fats in the blood and lead to high blood pressure and increase the risk of cardiovascular damage.
Lack of physical exercise can also make a person more likely to suffer from heart disease. Participating regularly in aerobic exercise, which can include walking, jogging, dancing, or swimming, significantly reduces the risk of heart disease.
Another contributor to heart disease is stress. Constant stress can expose your body to persistently elevated levels of the stress hormones cortisol and adrenaline. High levels of these hormones can increase blood pressure and damage artery walls. Engaging in yoga, meditation, or other relaxation techniques can be helpful in reducing stress and lowering the risk for heart disease.
Question: Why does the author begin the passage with statistics regarding heart disease, such as "over thirty percent of deaths every year" ?

A) To justify medicinal treatments for heart disease.
B) To introduce a theory on a worldwide response to heart disease.
C) To support the fact that heart disease is a global threat.
D) To warn the reader regarding the dangers of heart disease.