Men who have a particular physical characteristic on their chest are being warned it could be a sign of an early death, scientists have said.

If a man has enlarged breast tissue – which some may refer to as ‘man boobs’ – they could be at greater risk of dying before the age of 75. This condition is called gynaecomastia and there are a number of signs men should look out for to prevent this.

The condition is caused by enlarged breast tissue that is usually caused by a hormone imbalance and affects around a third to around two-thirds of males, depending on age.

It is important to note that this condition is different to pseudo gynaecomastia, which is the result of being overweight or obese. A study from scientists at the University of Copenhagen has found that men with gynaecomastia have a 37 per cent increased risk of early death from any cause compared to those without the condition.

Doctor Anders Juul, from the university team, said in a press release: “Males diagnosed with gynaecomastia are at higher risk of death, observed mainly in males with a known pre-existing risk factor of gynaecomastia. These findings will hopefully stimulate more awareness among healthcare providers to potentially apply interventions that aid in alleviating underlying risk factors in males with this condition.”

Men with a known pre-existing condition are 75 per cent more likely to develop the condition compared to men who do not. The greatest risks are associated with pre-existing cancers, as well as circulatory, lung, and diseases that affect the gut. However, the study found that neurological disease