The biggest killer of men varies by age and location, but globally and in many Western countries like Australia and the US, Heart Disease (Coronary Artery Disease) and various Cancers (especially lung, prostate) are top killers for older men, while Suicide is the leading cause of death for younger men (under 45). Accidents (unintentional injuries) are also a major factor, particularly for younger age groups.
The number one killer in the world is cardiovascular disease (CVD), including heart disease and stroke, responsible for about one-third of all global deaths, claiming nearly 18-20 million lives annually, and remains the leading cause across all regions, according to WHO and World Heart Federation. While COVID-19 caused significant deaths in recent years, CVD has consistently held the top spot for decades, with increases seen globally, especially in younger populations.
Coronary heart disease was the leading cause of burden among males aged 45–84, and second for those aged 65 and over. COVID-19 features for the first time in the top 5 leading causes for males aged over 65 (Figure 2) (AIHW 2022d).
This includes cardiovascular diseases, cancer, and chronic respiratory diseases. They tend to develop gradually over time and aren't infectious themselves. Heart diseases were the most common cause, responsible for a third of all deaths globally. Cancers were in second, causing almost one-in-five deaths.
The numbers of deaths from ischaemic heart diseases (IHD) and cerebrovascular disease have decreased over time, but IHD remains the leading cause of death in males.
Do you know the biggest threats to men's health? Heart disease and cancer top the list. Others include injury, lung disease, stroke and diabetes.
Four in five suicides are by men – suicide is the biggest cause of death for men under 35 and there has been a sharp increase in the rate among men aged 35-64. Men are more likely than women to: smoke, smoke more cigarettes per day and smoke hand-rolled tobacco. eat too much salt.
Dementia (including Alzheimer's disease) is now Australia's leading cause of death overall, closely followed by ischaemic heart disease, with the gap narrowing as the population ages; however, coronary heart disease remains the top killer for males, while dementia leads for females. Other major causes include cerebrovascular disease (stroke), lung cancer, and chronic lower respiratory diseases (COPD).
The Heaviest Hitters
Leading Causes of Death
Immediate cause of death refers to the disease, failure of injury whose symptoms cause the person to die. However, the actual mechanism of death, e.g. cardiac arrest, are not regarded as immediate causes of death.
Dementia is the UK's biggest killer. Yet one in three people are living without a diagnosis. For those that do receive a diagnosis, the journey to that point can be filled with heartbreak, frustration and uncertainty - over weeks, months and even years.
Cardiovascular Disease – The Leading Men's Health Threat
If the plaque becomes unstable, a blood clot can form, blocking blood flow which can result in a heart attack or stroke. “Cardiovascular disease and stroke are preventable,” says Dr. Bradberry.
Most adults need about 7 to 8 hours of good-quality sleep per night (good quality means the major sleep episode does not have frequent arousalsa and is long enough for the individual).
Specific Signs/Symptoms of Testosterone Deficiency (TD)
A century ago, there were less than two years between men's and women's life expectancies in the United States. Today, that gender gap has almost tripled, with men dying 5.3 years earlier than women in 2023.
Every year, men are affected by the following conditions, but with the right precautions, many of these health concerns can be avoided or caught early when they're the most treatable. Heart disease is the leading cause of death for men in the United States, accounting for 25 percent of all male deaths.
Overview table. This first table gives a convenient overview of the general categories and broad causes. The leading cause is cardiovascular disease at 31.59% of all deaths.
Globally, Ischaemic Heart Disease (Coronary Artery Disease) is the number one cause of death, responsible for a significant portion of deaths, with cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) as the leading overall killer, followed by cancer, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). In the United States, heart disease also remains the top killer, while dementia and Alzheimer's are leading causes in places like Australia, with figures varying slightly by country and year.
According to the American Heart Association's 2025 Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics Update, heart disease remains the leading cause of death in the U.S.
Some types of loss are more likely to result in CG than others. Loss of a child, loss of a close life partner, and suicide or homicide loss are among the most difficult.