Final answer:
Stroke is the second leading cause of death in the United States and Canada. It occurs when the blood flow to the brain is compromised, leading to brain cell death. Preventive measures through lifestyle modification and medication can help manage the risk factors.
Step-by-step explanation:
The correct answer to the question "_____ is the second leading cause of death in the United States and Canada" is A. Stroke. While cancer is a major cause of death and accounts for twice as many deaths as cardiovascular diseases in high-income countries, stroke is specifically cited as the second leading cause of death. Stroke occurs when poor blood flow to the brain results in the death of brain cells, and can take two forms: ischemic, due to lack of blood flow, and hemorrhagic, due to bleeding. Preventive measures against this and other noninfectious chronic diseases include managing risk factors through lifestyle changes and medication as necessary. Among the risk factors for stroke are obesity, hypertension, and atherosclerosis, with lifestyle choices greatly influencing the likelihood of these conditions.