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Public interestEpisode 114Ranked bars0:55
Heart disease killed 9.5 million people in 2023, the world's top killer
Deaths worldwide in 2023, by cause · the top 5 of 61 million deaths
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Guess the number
Guess the number: deaths from heart disease in 2023 (WHO)
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Source: World Health Organization, Global Health Estimates (fact sheet 2 October 2026) · 2023 data
- 1Heart disease9.5 million
- 2Stroke6.8 million
- 3COPD lung disease3.6 million
- 4Lung infections2.7 million
- 5Dementia2.1 million
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The takeaway
Heart disease and stroke together killed 16.3 million people in 2023, more than 1 in 4 of all deaths. High blood pressure is a major driver, and only about 2 in 10 adults who have it keep it under control.
The data
Explore the numbers
| # | Name | Value | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heart disease | 9.5 million | blocked blood flow to the heart | |
| Stroke | 6.8 million | ||
| COPD lung disease | 3.6 million | ||
| Lung infections | 2.7 million | ||
| Dementia | 2.1 million |
Every figure was checked against its source on October 16, 2026.
- World Health Organization2023: 61 million deaths worldwide; ischaemic heart disease 9.5 million (16%), stroke 6.8 million (11%), COPD 3.6 million (6%), lower respiratory infections 2.7 million, Alzheimer's and other dementias 2.1 million; heart disease deaths up 3.0 million since 2000
In 2023, the 10 leading causes of death accounted for 33 million deaths, or 54% of the total 61 million deaths worldwide.
who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/the-top-10-causes-of-death - NairametricsWHO's 2023 top causes: ischaemic heart disease 9.5 million, stroke 6.8 million, COPD 3.6 million, lower respiratory infections 2.7 million, Alzheimer's and dementias 2.1 million, of 61 million deaths
Ischaemic heart disease: 9.5 million; Stroke: 6.8 million; COPD: 3.6 million; Lower respiratory infections: 2.7 million; Alzheimer's disease and other dementias: 2.1 million
nairametrics.com/2026/10/03/who-says-these-10-diseases-claimed-33-million-lives- - Our World in Data (IHME Global Burden of Disease)Independent estimate: heart diseases are the most common cause of death, about a third of deaths (a wider cardiovascular grouping)
Heart diseases were the most common cause, responsible for a third of all deaths globally.
ourworldindata.org/causes-of-death - World Health Organization (hypertension fact sheet, 25 Sep 2025)About 1.4 billion adults aged 30-79 had hypertension in 2024; about 23% had it under control; reducing hypertension prevents heart attack, stroke and kidney damage
An estimated 1.4 billion adults aged 30-79 years worldwide had hypertension in 2024 ... Approximately 320 million adults with hypertension (23%) have it under control.
who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/hypertension - World Health Organization (Thailand office)WHO Global Hypertension Report 2025 launch: only about 1 in 5 people with hypertension have it under control
only 1 in 5 individuals with hypertension have it under control
who.int/thailand/news/detail/24-09-2025-launch-of-the-who-global-hypertension-re - World Health Organization (cardiovascular diseases fact sheet, 31 Jul 2025)19.8 million people died of cardiovascular diseases in 2022 (32% of deaths); the main behavioural risks are unhealthy diet, physical inactivity, tobacco use and harmful use of alcohol
The most important behavioural risk factors of heart disease and stroke are unhealthy diet, physical inactivity, tobacco use and harmful use of alcohol.
who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/cardiovascular-diseases-(cvds)
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- Covering 2023 data.
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Source: World Health Organization, Global Health Estimates (fact sheet 2 October 2026). Covering 2023 data.
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Transcript
9.5 million people died of heart disease in 2023. It is the world's top killer.
Of about 61 million deaths in 2023, dementia killed 2.1 million. Lung infections killed 2.7 million, and COPD lung disease 3.6 million. Strokes killed 6.8 million. Blocked blood flow to the heart, often a heart attack, killed the most: 9.5 million. High blood pressure is a big reason why. About 1.4 billion adults had it in 2024. Only about 2 in 10 kept it under control. Unhealthy food, little exercise and tobacco raise the risk.
How do you keep your heart healthy? Tell us in the comments, then like, share and subscribe. More at numberreels.com.
Source & method
- SourceFigures from World Health Organization, Global Health Estimates (fact sheet 2 October 2026).
- PeriodCovering 2023 data.
- ChartRendered as a ranked bars chart.
- ElsewhereAlso on YouTube, Instagram and X.
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