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Leading Causes of Death for 80-Year-Olds

As we age, our bodies begin to slow down and become more susceptible to illnesses and diseases. Even with advanced medical treatments and care, the human body can only do so much, and eventually, death becomes inevitable. For 80-year-olds, there are particular health conditions and diseases that are more likely to cause death than others. In this article, we will explore the leading causes of death for 80-year-olds and what steps you can take to minimize your risk.

(Note: See here for 79-year-old causes of death or here for the most common causes of death for 81-year-olds.)

Table of Contents

Leading Causes of Death for 80-Year-Olds (2021 CDC Data)

Cause of DeathTotal Deaths
Heart Disease22,922
Cancer16,556
COVID-199,780
Chronic Lower Respiratory Disease4,684
Alzheimer's Disease3,640
Diabetes2,488
Accidents (Incl. Overdoses)2,067
Parkinson's Disease1,811
Kidney Disease1,573
Flu (Non-COVID)1,122
Septicemia1,109
Pneumonitis Due To Solids & Liquids612
Liver Disease (incl. Cirrhosis)562
Nutritional Deficiency426
Suicide295
Anemias149
Gallbladder Disorder137
Enterocolitis132
Peptic Ulcer95
Hernia42
Pneumoconiosis29
Prostate Hyperplasia28
Congenital Malformations26

According to the latest CDC data, heart disease remains the leading cause of death for 80-year-olds, with 22,922 deaths in 2021. This comes as no surprise, as heart disease has been a top killer for decades. Cancer is close behind, claiming 16,556 lives in the same age group.

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on mortality rates, and this is reflected in the data. COVID-19 is now the third leading cause of death for 80-year-olds, with 9,780 deaths in 2021. It will be interesting to see if this trend continues as vaccination rates increase and new variants emerge.

Chronic lower respiratory disease, Alzheimer’s disease, and diabetes round out the top five killers. Accidents, including overdoses, are also a concern for this age group, accounting for 2,067 deaths.

It is worth noting that some causes of death, such as flu and septicemia, are relatively rare, while others, such as nutritional deficiencies and suicide, have a relatively small impact on mortality rates for 80-year-olds.

Overall, this data highlights the importance of preventative measures for heart disease, cancer, and other chronic illnesses. It also underscores the need for continued efforts to control the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly for vulnerable populations like 80-year-olds.

Top Causes of Death for Age 80 Men

Cause of DeathTotal Deaths
Heart Disease12,189
Cancer8,763
COVID-195,578
Chronic Lower Respiratory Disease2,260
Alzheimer's Disease1,320
Diabetes1,318
Accidents (Incl. Overdoses)1,159
Parkinson's Disease1,142
Kidney Disease839
Flu (Non-COVID)627
Septicemia560
Pneumonitis Due To Solids & Liquids397
Liver Disease (incl. Cirrhosis)312
Suicide260
Nutritional Deficiency176
Anemias76
Gallbladder Disorder73
Enterocolitis58
Peptic Ulcer44
Pneumoconiosis29
Prostate Hyperplasia28
Congenital Malformations26

Looking at the data for age 80 men, the top causes of mortality are similar to the overall data set. The leading causes of death for this group are heart disease, which accounts for 12,189 deaths, and cancer, which accounts for 8,763 deaths. COVID-19 is the third leading cause of death for this group, with 5,578 deaths.

Other significant causes of mortality include chronic lower respiratory disease, Alzheimer’s disease, and diabetes. Accidents, including overdoses, account for 1,159 deaths in this age group. Parkinson’s disease, kidney disease, and flu (non-COVID) are also noteworthy causes of death.

Interestingly, the number of deaths due to suicide is relatively high in this age group, with 260 deaths. This underscores the importance of addressing mental health concerns among older men.

In summary, the top causes of death for age 80 men are consistent with the overall data set, including conditions such as heart disease, cancer, COVID-19, and chronic lower respiratory disease. It is important to continue efforts to prevent and treat these leading causes of mortality in this demographic.

Common Causes of Death for 80-Year-Old Women

Cause of DeathTotal Deaths
Heart Disease10,733
Cancer7,793
COVID-194,202
Chronic Lower Respiratory Disease2,424
Alzheimer's Disease2,320
Diabetes1,170
Accidents (Incl. Overdoses)908
Kidney Disease734
Parkinson's Disease669
Septicemia549
Flu (Non-COVID)495
Nutritional Deficiency250
Liver Disease (incl. Cirrhosis)250
Pneumonitis Due To Solids & Liquids215
Enterocolitis74
Anemias73
Gallbladder Disorder64
Peptic Ulcer51
Hernia42
Suicide35

This mortality data for women reveals that the leading causes of death for 80-year-old females are heart disease, cancer, and COVID-19. Heart disease is the most common cause of death, resulting in 10,733 deaths, followed closely by cancer with 7,793 deaths. COVID-19 has had a significant impact on mortality rates for women in this age group, causing 4,202 deaths.

Chronic lower respiratory disease, Alzheimer’s disease, and diabetes are also common causes of death, as these diseases combined are responsible for over 5,000 deaths among 80-year-old women. Accidents, including overdoses, account for 908 deaths, while kidney disease and Parkinson’s disease are responsible for another 1,400 deaths combined.

It is alarming to note that suicide is a cause of death among 80-year-old women, though it is relatively rare compared to other causes. Other causes of death, such as nutritional deficiencies, peptic ulcers, and hernias, are even rarer than suicide and account for a small percentage of the total deaths in this age group.

Overall, this data confirms that heart disease and cancer continue to be the leading causes of death for 80-year-old women, while COVID-19 has emerged as a significant threat to this population.

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