655,381

The number of Americans who died from heart disease in 2018, making it the leading cause of death that year. Heart disease was the leading cause of death for both men and women but was more likely to kill men. Smokers, those who were obese, those who were over 55 years old, and those with a family history of heart disease were also at higher risk of dying from heart disease. The category most like COVID-19—influenza and pneumonia—killed 59,120 Americans and was the eighth leading cause of death. The tenth leading cause of death was suicide, with 48,344 deaths, up from 47,173 in 2017.

599,274

The number of deaths from cancer in 2018, the second leading cause of death during that year. The number was virtually unchanged from 599,108 deaths in 2017.

167,127

The number of deaths from unintentional injuries in 2018, making accidents the third leading cause of death.

159,486

The number of deaths from chronic lower respiratory diseases in 2018, making these diseases the fourth leading cause of death. This category includes emphysema, asthma, and pulmonary hypertension.

147,810

The number of deaths from cerebrovascular diseases (or strokes) in 2018, making strokes the fifth leading cause of death.

—All data are from the National Center for Health Statistics