MAN DOWN!

From lightning strikes to suicide… The 7 reasons why men are more likely to die before women

In general men are expected to die three years before women in the UK, here are some of the reasons why

Andrea Downey

Published: 12:33, 16 Jun 2017
Updated: 12:40, 16 Jun 2017

MEN'S health is a subject that often flies under the radar - especially as they are less likely to visit a doctor.

This week is International Men's Health week, which aims to provide healthcare advice and information to men all around the globe.

Statistics show than men are more likely to be killed by a lightening strike than womenCredit: Getty Images

This year's focus is all about belly fat, what you can do to prevent is and what it can do to your health.

The is encouraging men to get their waistlines in check to reduce their risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, colorectal cancer, sleep apnea, high blood pressure and premature death - all of which can be cause by carry excess fat around your tummy.

Bulging waistlines aside, there are a range of other reasons men are more likely to die before women.

1. It's down to the genes

Women have two X chromosomes, which provides them with a back-up if a mutation occurs.

However, men do not have that luxury – they only have one X chromosome to express all their genes.

Therefore men are more susceptible to genetic disorders.

In the UK, men in general are not expected to live as long as women.

The average life expectancy for a man is 79, compared to women who are expected to live until 82 years old.

The most common age of death for men in the UK between 2012 and 2014 was 86, but women were living til 89 during the same time period, according to the Office of National Statistics.

Men are more likely to die from heart disease, studies have shownCredit: Getty Images

2. They are more likely to die from heart disease

Heart disease kills more men than women in Europe.

According to the cholesterol charity, Heart, heart disease is the most common cause of death in adults before the age of 65.

It accounts for 16 per cent of men's deaths and 10 per cent of women's.

The stats are closer together between the ages of 65 and 75, with 38 per cent of men dying from the disease and 37 per cent of women.

Each year in the UK nearly 160,000 people die from heart disease - that's 26 per cent of all deaths.

More men than women smoke, raising their risk of killer diseases such as cancer and strokeCredit: Getty Images

3. They are less likely to go to the doctor

You may think that this is a saying that is just thrown about, but a 2016 survey found it is actually true.

Rather than book an appointment to see their GP men are more likely to make excuses for not going, a study from Orlando Health in America found.

And their favourite excuse? They're too busy to see a doctor.

Men who completed the survey also said they were scared to find out something was wrong and were uncomfortable with certain exams such as a prostate check, which rounds off the top three reason why they avoid the doc.

Dr Jamin Brahmbhatt, a Florida based doctor who helped conduct the survey, said: "Men can spend 34 hours golfing or watching a ball game every week, or find the time to take a trip to Vegas with their buddies, but they can't spare 90 minutes a year to get a check up? That's inexcusable.

"As men, we need to make our health more of a priority."

Research suggests that more men die from lightning strikes because they are more likely to partake in outdoor activities like campingCredit: Getty Images

4. Men are more likely to get hit by lightning

Yes, you read that correctly.

While it may seem bizarre there is actually a fairly logical reason behind it - men are more likely to partake in outdoor leisure activities like camping or fishing.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in the US lightening strikes have consistently killed more men than women in the last 50 years.

About 85 per cent of deaths were men.

A 2013 study also found a similar trend.

The study, by the NOAA's National Weather Service found that between 2006 and 2012 82 per cent of people killed by lightening were men.

The study concluded that men are less aware of the dangers of lightening and partake in more outdoor activities.

Men also drink more than women, statistics show, which increases their risk of liver disease and heart diseaseCredit: Getty Images

5. They are more likely to smoke

Men tend to enjoy a puff on a cigarette more than women, statistics show.

In 2015 19.3 per cent of men in the UK were smokers compared to 15.3 per cent of women, according to the Office of National Statistics (ONS)

And that trend is carried world wide.

According to a report from the World Health Organisation 40 per cent of the world's one billion smokers are men, compared to just nine per cent of women.

Every year in the UK around 100,000 people die from smoking.

Smoking increases your risk of developing more than 50 serious health conditions, some of which can be fatal.

It causes about 90 per cent of all lung cancers as well as cancer of the mouth, lips, stomach, liver, kidney, throat and oesophagus, according to the NHS.

It also dramatically increases your risk of heart disease, stroke, heart attack and emphysema.

Three quarters of suicides in the UK are men, according to mental health charity MindCredit: Getty Images

6. Men drink more than women

Most of us like a pint in the pub to unwind every now and then.

But men are more likely to drink excessively, which poses a serious risk to their health.

According to the ONS men are more likely to drink alcohol and more of it.

A 2014 survey found 64 per cent of men drank alcohol in the week leading up to being survey, with more that half admitting to drinking more than 4.5 units in one sitting.