As February is American Heart Month, we wanted to take a few moments to reflect on the importance of cardiovascular health in men and discuss ways you can protect this vital organ as you age.
It’s true that both men and women can develop heart conditions, but did you know that men are twice as likely to experience heart attacks than women?
Stress, anxiety or high blood pressure may contribute to why men are at risk of developing certain heart conditions. But other risk factors can include erectile dysfunction and low testosterone (low T):
“Having a low testosterone level is often thought of as just a diminished sex drive, but it’s increasingly seen as being linked to heart disease and type 2 diabetes…” (Johns Hopkins Medicine).
Another common trend among men vs. women is the former tends to skip preventative care (i.e., annual checkups), which means they don’t regularly test their cholesterol or blood pressure—both of which can contribute to heart issues.
American Heart Month Facts
Here are some other heart-related facts men need to be aware of
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Heart disease is the leading cause of death in both men and women living in the United States (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services).
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Coronary heart disease is the most common type of heart disease in the United States (Center for Disease Control and Prevention).
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Physical inactivity, such as sitting, is an independent risk factor for heart disease—even more than smoking (Johns Hopkins Medicine).
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You can improve your heart health via diet, exercise, and stress management…in fact, regular exercise is one of the best ways to keep your heart healthy (Cleveland Clinic).
That last bullet should give you a nice wake up call. You can, in fact, take control of your men’s heart health by staying active and monitoring the types of foods you eat.
Making a goal of getting at least 30-60 minutes of daily physical activity, for instance, can actually help lower your risk of heart disease: “It also reduces the chances of developing other conditions that may put a strain on the heart, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol and type 2 diabetes,” (Mayo Clinic).
And according to the American Heart Association, avoiding processed foods and added sugars while aiming for whole grains and food sources that contain plant-based proteins can benefit your heart health, too.
Let’s not forget that staying active and monitoring your diet can also help you avoid being overweight or obese, both of which are high risk factors for heart disease.
Understanding Men’s Heart Health
Although these guidelines are helpful, every individual is different—from your family’s health history to your hormone production and the level of stress you experience each day.
That means even if you follow a generally healthy lifestyle, you may still be at risk of developing heart issues, due to other underlying factors (such as low T or high blood pressure as noted early.) Therefore, perhaps one of the best ways to improve your heart health is by working with a men’s health expert.
At EveresT Men’s Health, we don’t prescribe the same treatment for every client, because we understand that what your body needs in order to thrive may differ from your coworkers, neighbors, or even your own family members.
This is why we offer a comprehensive medical exam at the beginning of your journey with us. This allows us to evaluate your testosterone and vitamin levels, blood pressure and sugar, as well as body compensation. By doing this first, we can immediately identify any deficiencies and develop a personalized wellness program that works just for you and fits your unique lifestyle.
Make Your Heart Health a Priority
If you’re ready to take control of your heart health and start feeling like your best self—regardless of age—you can request an appointment at one of our three locations in Plymouth, Woodbury, or Eagan.
We’ll help you develop a program that includes the type of exercise and diet plan you need and incorporate other medical services, as needed, to address any underlying issues.
Have questions? Contact us if you would like to learn more about how our men’s clinic can help.
