Diabetes and cardiovascular disease are the most common health concerns for older men in the west, a new survey by Lycored suggests. The research indicates that heart disease is now more feared by American men than cancer.

International wellness company Lycored surveyed 313 men over the age of 50 (163 in the U.K. and 150 in the U.S.). They were presented with a list of illnesses and asked which they worried about at night. Overall, the most common cause of worry was diabetes (13.74%) followed by heart disease (11.5%).

Interestingly, the Americans surveyed were significantly more likely to worry about diabetes (18.67%) and heart disease (14.67%) than the Brits (9.2% and 8.59% respectively).

The U.K. respondents were slightly more likely to worry about cancer (9.82%) than heart disease (8.59%), whereas Americans were more likely to worry about heart disease than cancer (14.67% compared to 9.33%). This may reflect the fact that cardiovascular disease was recently overtaken by cancer as a cause of mortality in the U.K. but remains the biggest killer of Americans.

Golan Raz, head of global health division, Lycored, said: “Cardio-metabolic wellness has long been one of the most serious concerns for health-focused consumers. What this research reveals is the extent to which heart disease and diabetes are causing anxiety for older men, the group most at risk. The goal now for the wellness industry is to strengthen understanding of the direct link between healthy, diverse nutrition and specific benefits for wellbeing. Natural ingredients for cardio-metabolic wellness can be delivered via supplementation as well as healthy choices in the kitchen.”

Cardiomato is Lycored’s blend of phytosterols and patented standardized tomato extract. Over time it can help foster improved cardiovascular wellness and maintain a healthy circulatory system.

The survey findings are part of a new Lycored White Paper on men’s health concerns and quality of sleep, available at: http://bit.ly/lycoredstudy