Heart disease and dementia leading causes of death in 2013

  • Health
Dementia is killing more women, whilst men are more likely to die of heart disease. Credit: Press Association.

In 2013, more than half a million people died in England and Wales - up 1.5% since 2012.

Heart disease was the leading cause of death for men, accounting for 15.4% of male deaths.

For women, the leading cause of death was dementia and Alzheimer's which accounted for 12.2%.

The leading causes of death varies significantly depending on the age, and sex of a person.

Congenital defects are the leading cause of death for children aged 1-4

Probable homicide is the second most common death for girls of this age, and the fifth most common for boys.

Vehicle accidents are the leading cause of death for 5-19 year olds

Suicide is also one of the leading causes of deaths in this group - the second leading cause of death of males, and sixth for females.

Homicide is the third biggest killer of boys in this group, whilst girls are more likely to die of congenital defects and brain cancer - the second and third leading causes of death for females respectively.

Suicide is the leading cause of death for 20-34 year olds

Suicide, followed by 'accidental poisoning' are the leading causes of death in both sexes in this age group.

Suicide, followed by accidental poisoning, is the leading cause of death for people aged between 20 and 34. Credit: ONS

The ONS listed the factors that could contribute to these deaths, citing:

  • Traumatic experiences

  • Drug and alcohol misuse

  • Job insecurity

  • Relationship problems

Breast cancer and suicide leading causes of death for 35-49 year olds

Suicide remains the leading cause of death for men in this age group, whilst breast cancer is the leading cause of death for women.

Liver disease is the second highest cause of death for women, and the third highest cause of death for men within this age range.

Heart disease and cancer leading cause of death for over 50s

The leading causes of death for both men and women over 50 were long-term diseases and conditions.

Cancer of the trachea, bronchus and lung was the number one cause of death for women aged 50-64.

Followed very closely by breast cancer, which killed slightly less women in actual deaths, but the same percentage.

Heart disease is the biggest killer for men, followed by lung cancer and liver disease. Some of the biggest causes of heart disease include:

  • Smoking

  • High cholesterol

  • High blood pressure

  • Diabetes

Demetia and Alzheimer's leading cause of death for women over 80

Deaths form dementia and Alzheimer's disease are increasing as people live longer, and are more common in women because women live longer than men.

Heart disease, again, was the leading cause of death for men in this category, and was the second leading cause of death for women.