After Age 75: Five Major Causes of Death and How to Protect Your Health
Reaching the age of 75 is an important milestone. With increasing life expectancy, many older adults continue to enjoy meaningful relationships, independent living, hobbies, and active lifestyles well into their eighties and beyond.
However, aging brings changes that can increase the risk of certain illnesses. The heart and blood vessels may become more vulnerable to disease, the immune system may respond differently to infections, and muscles and bones may gradually lose strength. Chronic conditions can also become more common, making preventive care particularly important.
You may have seen claims suggesting that 99% of deaths after age 75 are caused by five specific conditions. Although this figure is not a reliable universal statistic, several major categories of disease account for a substantial proportion of deaths among older adults. Their relative importance varies by country, sex, medical history, and other factors.
Understanding these conditions can help older adults and their families make informed decisions about prevention, medical care, and everyday habits.
The goal is not to eliminate every risk or stop the aging process. It is to reduce preventable complications, maintain independence, and support the best possible quality of life.
1. Heart Disease: Protecting the Heart and Blood Vessels
Cardiovascular disease is a major cause of death among older adults. It includes conditions such as coronary artery disease, heart attacks, heart failure, and certain other disorders affecting the heart and circulation.
As people age, fatty deposits may accumulate in the arteries, blood vessels can become less flexible, and the likelihood of developing high blood pressure, diabetes, or abnormal cholesterol levels may increase.
These changes do not mean that heart disease is inevitable. Many important risk factors can be managed, even in later life.
Warning Signs to Recognize
Heart problems can develop gradually or appear suddenly.
Possible symptoms include:
Chest pressure, discomfort, or pain.
Shortness of breath during activity or at rest.
Unusual fatigue or a decline in exercise tolerance.
Swelling in the ankles, legs, or feet.
Palpitations or an irregular heartbeat.
Dizziness or fainting.
Heart attacks do not always cause dramatic chest pain. Older adults, particularly those with diabetes, may experience less typical symptoms, such as breathlessness, nausea, weakness, or unexplained discomfort in the back or jaw.
Sudden chest discomfort, severe shortness of breath, fainting, or other possible signs of a heart attack require immediate emergency medical attention.
How to Reduce the Risk
Monitor blood pressure. High blood pressure often causes no noticeable symptoms, yet it can damage arteries and increase the risk of heart attacks and strokes. Regular measurements help identify problems that might otherwise go unnoticed.
Manage cholesterol. Elevated LDL cholesterol contributes to the development of arterial plaque. A clinician can assess cholesterol levels and determine whether lifestyle changes, medication, or both are appropriate.
Eat a heart-supportive diet. Include vegetables, fruits, beans, lentils, whole grains, nuts, and suitable sources of protein. Limit excessive salt, processed meats, and foods high in saturated fats.
Remain physically active. Walking, gentle cycling, water exercise, or other suitable activities can support cardiovascular health. The appropriate intensity depends on mobility, existing conditions, and medical advice.
Avoid tobacco. Smoking damages blood vessels and increases cardiovascular risk. Stopping smoking can provide benefits at almost any age.
Take prescribed medication correctly. Blood pressure medicines, cholesterol-lowering drugs, and other cardiovascular treatments can reduce complications when appropriately prescribed and monitored.
Older adults should not discontinue medication simply because their blood pressure or cholesterol has improved. Those improvements may be the result of treatment.
2. Cancer: Understanding Risk and the Importance of Appropriate Screening
Cancer becomes more common with age because cells accumulate genetic changes over time. The body’s ability to repair certain forms of cellular damage may also change as people grow older.
Several cancers are more frequently diagnosed in older adults, including cancers of the lung, colon and rectum, breast, prostate, and pancreas.
However, cancer is not a single disease. Different cancers have different risk factors, symptoms, treatments, and outcomes.
Age alone does not determine whether someone will develop cancer, and not every cancer progresses at the same rate.
Symptoms That Deserve Medical Attention
Possible warning signs include:
Unexplained weight loss.
Persistent changes in bowel habits.
Blood in the stool or urine.
A new lump or swelling.
A persistent cough or hoarseness.
Unusual bleeding.
A wound that does not heal.
Ongoing pain without an apparent explanation.
Difficulty swallowing.
These symptoms can have many causes, including conditions that are not cancer. Nevertheless, persistent or unexplained changes should be assessed by a healthcare professional.
How to Reduce Cancer Risk
Avoid tobacco. Tobacco use is a major preventable cause of cancer, particularly lung cancer. Avoiding smoking and seeking help to quit are important at any age.
Limit alcohol. Alcohol consumption is associated with several types of cancer. Reducing intake can lower exposure to this risk factor.
Eat a balanced diet. A diet rich in vegetables, fruits, legumes, and whole grains supports general health. Limiting processed meat and maintaining a suitable weight may also help reduce certain cancer risks.
Stay physically active. Regular movement supports metabolic health and is associated with a lower risk of several cancers.
Discuss screening individually. The benefits of cancer screening depend on the type of cancer, previous screening history, overall health, life expectancy, and personal preferences.
For example, routine screening that is beneficial for some people in their seventies may offer less benefit to a person with significant frailty or a limited life expectancy. Some screening recommendations also change around this age.
Screening decisions should therefore be made with a clinician rather than following a universal rule.
It is also important to remember that screening tests do not prevent every cancer, and not every test is appropriate for every older adult.
3. Stroke: Recognizing the Signs Before It Is Too Late
A stroke occurs when blood flow to part of the brain is interrupted or when a blood vessel in the brain ruptures.
Because brain cells depend on a continuous supply of oxygen and nutrients, a stroke can cause serious damage within minutes.
The risk of stroke generally increases with age, especially when high blood pressure, diabetes, atrial fibrillation, smoking, or vascular disease is present.
A stroke can lead to lasting disability, including difficulties with speech, movement, swallowing, memory, and independent living.
Know the FAST Warning Signs
The FAST approach can help people recognize a possible stroke.
F — Face: One side of the face suddenly droops or feels numb.
A — Arms: One arm suddenly becomes weak or difficult to raise.
S — Speech: Speech becomes slurred, confused, or difficult to understand.
T — Time: Seek emergency medical help immediately.
Other warning signs include sudden vision loss, severe dizziness, loss of coordination, confusion, or an abrupt, unusually severe headache.
Symptoms may improve after a few minutes, but that does not mean the danger has passed. A temporary episode can be a transient ischemic attack, sometimes called a mini-stroke, and requires urgent medical assessment.
Never wait to see whether suspected stroke symptoms disappear. Prompt treatment can reduce brain damage and improve the chances of recovery.
