Healthy Aging 5 Most Common Causes of Death in Older Men By Sharon Basaraba twitter Sharon Basaraba is an award-winning reporter and senior scientific communications advisor for Alberta Health Services in Alberta, Canada. Learn about our editorial process Sharon Basaraba Medically reviewed by Medically reviewed by Elizabeth Molina Ortiz, MD, MPH on April 06, 2020 linkedin Elizabeth Molina Ortiz, MD, MPH, is a board-certified specialist in family medicine and is the former medical director of a community health center. Learn about our Medical Review Board Elizabeth Molina Ortiz, MD, MPH on April 06, 2020 Print There's good news for men in their quest for longevity. Though women still live longer in most countries of the world, the mortality gap, or difference in life expectancy, is closing. In North America, a man can expect to live to between 75 and 78 years of age, depending on where he lives. For women, life expectancy hovers between about 80 and 83 years of age. Though you can't control your biological sex, you can take steps to prevent some of the major causes of death in older men. 1 Heart Disease Jose Luis Pelaez Inc / Blend Images / Getty Images Coronary heart disease, in which arteries serving the heart become narrow and hardened, is the leading cause of heart attacks. A man's risk of heart disease rises significantly after the age of 45. What you can do to prevent it: Avoid smoking. Tobacco use is associated with a higher risk of heart diseaseEat heart-healthy foods, like the ones associated with a Mediterranean-style diet: fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, fish, and other foods that are high in fiber, and low in saturated and trans fatsGet regular aerobic exercise that boosts your heart rate, ideally 30 minutes, 5 times a weekMaintain a healthy weightMonitor cholesterol levels and keep them within a healthy range 2 Cancer Lung, prostate, and colorectal cancers are the most deadly forms of the disease in men. Though a family history of cancer may increase your chances of getting it, there are steps you can take to minimize your risk. What you can do to prevent it: Avoid air pollution where possible and exposure to chemicals at work and at homeBe physically activeDon't smoke, and avoid secondhand smoke from others who do.Eat a healthy diet, including fruits, vegetables, fiber, and fish, while reducing fats and meatKeep up with screening tests for early detection of colorectal and prostate cancers if you are over 50Limit alcohol use to one to two drinks per day; high consumption has been linked to a higher incidence of colon and lung cancer, for exampleWear sunscreen and have any skin changes, like moles, checked by your doctor 3 Chronic Lower Respiratory Diseases These include chronic bronchitis and emphysema, which together make up chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD. Smoking, including cigarettes, cigars, and pipes, makes you 12 times as likely to die of COPD than a man who’s never smoked. Highly preventable, COPD is also linked to lung cancer. Other airborne pollution, like radon, asbestos and car exhaust, can also contribute to lung disease. What you can do to prevent it: Don’t smoke, and if you already do, take steps to quitAvoid secondhand smokeSteer clear of other airborne pollutants, including dust and chemical fumes 4 Stroke A stroke occurs when the brain doesn't get the blood it needs, either because of a blockage in a blood vessel supplying the brain, or the rupture of a blood vessel in the brain. Your risk of stroke is higher if you've been diagnosed with high blood pressure, have high cholesterol, or diabetes. What you can do to prevent it: Have your blood pressure checked; treating high blood pressure lowers the risk for stroke and heart diseaseDrink only in moderation; that is, no more than one to two drinks per dayIf you smoke, take steps to quit since smoking increases your risk of strokeKeep diabetes under controlLower your sodium intake to help reduce high blood pressureRegular exercise and a healthy diet that's low in saturated fats can lower your risk 5 Diabetes If you have diabetes, your body has trouble using glucose from your food as fuel. Type 1 diabetes, which involves the body's immune system attacking the cells that make insulin, cannot be prevented. Much more common is type 2 diabetes, in which glucose builds up in your blood instead of being used as energy. Many men do not know they have diabetes until they experience symptoms, like vision loss and erectile dysfunction. Type 2 diabetes can be prevented, or at least delayed. What you can do to prevent it: Eat a healthy plant-based diet that includes lots of fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and fish, while avoiding added sugars, fats and saltIf you have a family history of diabetes, talk to your doctor about screeningMaintain a healthy weight Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Sign up for our Health Tip of the Day newsletter, and receive daily tips that will help you live your healthiest life. Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit Article Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Prevention, Genetics, Causes. Public Information Page. National Cancer Institute at the National Institutes of Health. Gender, Health and Aging. Public Information Sheet. World Health Organization. Department of Gender and Women's Health. Top Health Concerns for Men. Public Information Sheet. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Cancer Among Men. Public Information Sheet. U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Leading Causes of Death by Age Group, All Males-United States. Public Information Sheet. U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.