Top Causes of Death in People with MS – And How to Stay Ahead of the Risks

👋 Introduction: A Friendly Reality Check

Having Multiple Sclerosis (MS) presents challenges and has several opportunities to exercise control over your health. While MS can affect life expectancy, the positive side is—many risks can be managed, or even prevented, with proactive care. This guide is designed to help you navigate through those risks so you can live better, longer 💪.

⏳ Understanding Life Expectancy with MS

Although MS is not normally life-threatening, studies show that people with MS have a life expectancy approximately 5-10 years shorter than the general population. However, that gap is closing thanks to better treatments and lifestyles.

What Affects Longevity?

  • 📅 Age at diagnosis
  • ❤️ Presence of other conditions (like diabetes or high blood pressure)
  • 🧬 Type of MS and how fast it progresses

Treatment Advancements Are Game-Changers

Contemporary disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) help slow down MS progression and reduce relapse rates. combine that with a healthy lifestyle, and you've got a great combination for a longer, healthier life! 🥦🏃

📋 MS Risk Checklist: How to Take Control

Want to stay ahead of MS-related risks? Use this personal checklist to boost your daily health routine:

  • ✅ Schedule annual physicals
  • ✅ Track your weight, BP, and glucose
  • ✅ Keep vaccinations up-to-date
  • ✅ Log symptoms and bring them to your doctor
  • ✅ Ask about screenings specific to your gender and age

🧩 The Role of Other Health Issues (Comorbidities)

Managing multiple sclerosis, or MS, is difficult enough, but it becomes even more complex when you add on multiple health concerns at once. When someone has more than one health condition, they are referred to as comorbidities. Comorbidities are important, very important.

Common Health Partners of MS:

  • 🍭 Diabetes: Can worsen nerve health and limit treatment options.
  • 🩺 Hypertension: Increases stroke and heart disease risk.
  • 😔 Depression: Affects quality of life and can lead to skipped treatments.

📌 Pro tip: Addressing these issues with your doctor can seriously boost your health outcomes. Think of it as full-body MS care!

❤️ Vascular & Cardiovascular Disease: The #1 Risk

Individuals with MS are more likely than the general population to develop heart disease and vascular complications. Here’s why and what to do to reduce that risk.

🚨 What Raises the Risk?

  • Sedentary lifestyle
  • Obesity
  • Chronic inflammation from MS
  • Side effects of certain medications

💡 Smart Prevention Tips:

  • 🥗 Eat heart-healthy
  • 🚶 Stay active
  • 🚭 Quit smoking
  • 💊 Manage blood pressure & cholesterol

🧠 Bonus Insight:

Mental health is important here too! Depression can increase the risk of vascular disease, so taking care of your mind, also protects your heart 💖.

🔎 Extra Support: Talk to a Cardiologist

You might not be thinking of a heart specialist with MS—but do it, it could save your life. Ask your doctor to see if you would benefit from a referral to cardiology.

🎗️ Cancer Risks with MS: What You Should Know

Although certain cancers (for example, lung cancer, breast cancer, bladder cancer) are higher-risk for people with MS than the general public, that doesn't mean that all cancers are a higher risk with MS.

🔬 Why the Higher Risk?

  • Immune-modulating therapies might affect cancer risk.
  • MS patients often undergo more scans, leading to earlier detection.

✅ What You Can Do:

  • 🩺 Stick to recommended screenings (mammograms, colonoscopies, etc.)
  • 🚭 Avoid smoking and heavy drinking
  • 🥦 Choose an anti-inflammatory, whole-foods diet

📣 Talk to your doc!

They’ll help you balance your MS treatment with your long-term cancer risk profile.

🌬️ Respiratory Complications: Breathing Easy

Multiple sclerosis (MS) can impact the muscles which are directly involved in breathing, and the brainstem; for these reasons, respiratory health is a major concern.

🔍 Common Triggers:

  • Infections like pneumonia
  • Muscle weakness from advanced MS
  • Mucus buildup due to immobility

🛡️ Prevention Checklist:

  • 🧘 Breathing exercises
  • 💉 Get your flu and pneumonia shots
  • 🍽️ Prevent choking—don’t talk while eating!

🚑 When to Call the Doctor:

  • Sudden trouble breathing 😮💨
  • Severe chest pain or coughing blood
  • High fever or intense fatigue

🧴 Extra Tip: Try a Respiratory Trainer

Affordable and small respiratory training devices can help you strengthen your breathing muscles and improve oxygen uptake.

🦠 Infections: A Hidden Danger

Those with MS experience a higher risk of infections—and a higher likelihood of serious complications occurring if they develop infections.

🧫 Common Offenders:

  • Respiratory infections like pneumonia
  • Urinary tract infections (UTIs)
  • Skin infections and sepsis from pressure sores

💥 Why They’re Risky:

  • Weak immune system from medications
  • Reduced mobility and catheter use

🧰 What You Can Do:

  • 🧼 Prioritize hygiene (especially hands and wounds)
  • 🧃 Stay hydrated and watch for UTI signs
  • 🧍 Shift position regularly to prevent sores
  • 📞 Call your doctor early if you feel off

🧠 Mental Health: The Silent Multiplier

Depression and anxiety are more common in MS—and they don’t just affect mood. Want an online therapist? Click here.

😞 Why It Matters:

  • May lead to skipping meds or doctor visits
  • Can worsen inflammation and physical symptoms

🌱 Wellness Boosters:

  • 🧘 Try mindfulness or therapy. Breathwork can also work.
  • 📱 Connect with MS communities
  • 🚶 Stay socially and physically active

🧘Extra Strategy: Create a Calm-Down Corner

Allow your body and mind an opportunity to decompress and reset by creating a relaxing, phone-free area in your home. You can make a difference by giving yourself as little as 10 minutes a day.

💊 MS Medications: Life-Saving, But Watch Closely

Disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) slow MS—but like all medications, they have side effects.

⚠️ Key Risks:

  • Infections due to immune suppression
  • Liver or blood issues with long-term use

🧾 Stay on Track:

  • 🧪 Get regular bloodwork
  • 📅 Don’t skip your follow-ups
  • 🧑⚕️ Work closely with your neurologist to monitor effects

🧭 Bonus: Keep a Medication Journal

Tracking your symptoms, side effects, and lab results in one place allows you to have a more productive and less stressful appointment.

🩺 The Importance of Routine Screenings

Staying on top of health checkups helps catch small issues before they become big ones.

📅 What to Schedule:

  • Annual physical
  • Blood pressure, cholesterol, and glucose checks
  • Cancer screenings by age and gender

Preventive care isn’t optional—it’s lifesaving. And easier than you think! ✅

🥦 Nutrition & Lifestyle: Small Choices, Big Impact

🧠 Eat Smart:

  • Whole foods > processed foods
  • Colorful veggies, omega-3s, low sodium

🚫 Avoid:

  • Sugary drinks
  • Too much red meat
  • Smoking and excess alcohol

🍱 Bonus Meal Idea:

Try a Mediterranean-style lunch: grilled salmon, quinoa salad, olive oil drizzle, and a handful of berries. Tasty and brain-boosting!

🏃Movement Is Medicine

Even light movement can help prevent many MS-related complications.

🧘 Try:

  • Stretching
  • Gentle yoga
  • Resistance bands

🛠️ Tip: Break Up Sitting Time

Set a reminder to stand, stretch, or walk every 30–60 minutes. Your body will thank you!

🤝 The Power of Support Networks

No one should face MS alone. Support makes survival and thriving easier.

💬 Consider:

  • Online MS groups
  • Counseling or coaching
  • Caregiver education and support

🧑🏫 Pro-Tip: Join a Weekly Virtual Check-in

Even a short video call with a friend, group, or therapist can be a powerful mood and motivation booster.

👥 Gender & Age: What Changes the Risks?

🧓 Older Adults:

  • More prone to infections and heart disease
  • May face more severe mobility issues

🚺 Women:

  • Higher MS prevalence
  • Mental health issues and hormone shifts affect outcomes

Knowing your unique risk profile helps tailor your care 💡.

🧑🤝🧑 Empowering Caregivers

Caregivers play a huge role in managing MS outcomes.

🔍 What They Can Do:

  • Watch for early signs of complications
  • Assist with appointments and treatment routines
  • Advocate for preventive screenings

📘 Caregiver Resource Idea:

Obtain a complimentary MS caregiver guide from reputable organizations such as the National MS Society. This resource offers helpful tips, tracking sheets, and insights from experts.

✅ Conclusion: Be Proactive, Stay Empowered

While multiple sclerosis may put you at an increased risk of certain health issues, it does not reduce your lifespan. With the right information, support, and lifestyle, you can manage these health risks!

Start small, stay consistent, and work together with your care teams. You've got this 💙.

📚 References

  1. Polidoro, F., & Climan, A. (2025). Top 4 Causes of Death in People with MS. MyMSTeam. https://www.mymsteam.com/resources/top-causes-of-death-in-people-with-ms
  2. Marrie, R. A. (2017). Comorbidity in multiple sclerosis: implications for patient care. The Lancet Neurology, 16(1), 15–27.
  3. Olsson, T., Barcellos, L. F., & Alfredsson, L. (2017). Interactions between genetic, lifestyle and environmental risk factors for multiple sclerosis. Nature Reviews Neurology, 13(1), 25–36.
  4. Scalfari, A., Knappertz, V., Cutter, G., Goodin, D. S., Ashton, R., & Ebers, G. C. (2013). Mortality in patients with multiple sclerosis. Neurology, 81(2), 184–192.

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