Heart disease is a major health killer in the U.S.
Both men and women have many of the same risks when it comes to heart health.
The risks include controlling body weight, blood pressure, and cholesterol levels.
Men and women also have different heart health problems.
Recently, Geoffrey Barnes, M.D., a Michigan Medicine cardiologist suggests all men should pay attention to several heart risks that may need immediate care.
The first risk is heart attack. Compared with women, men tend to have a high risk of heart attack and may have heart attacks earlier.
This may be because more men smoke tobacco than women, and they don’t have estrogen that could protect women from heart attacks at a younger age.
The second risk is that men may develop heart disease and stroke 7-10 years earlier than women.
The third risk is that compared with premenopausal women, men at the same age are more likely to have higher blood pressure.
High blood pressure is a big risk factor for heart disease and stroke.
The fourth risk is a condition called abdominal aortic aneurysm. In this disease, the abdominal aorta, a crucial blood vessel that feeds the legs and lower body, becomes enlarged.
It will increase the risk of blood vessel rupture and can be life-threatening.
The disease is more common in men ages 65 and older. Current and previous smokers have a higher risk of the condition. People should pay attention to their abdominal or back pain.
The fifth risk is peripheral arterial disease or PAD. It is a vascular disease that leads to blockages in the arteries to the legs because of plaque buildup.
Aging is a risk factor of the disease. Men should check if their legs are feeling weak or achy as they walk.
Sometimes, PAD can become worse. Hardening of the arteries can prevent blood flow to the heart and brain. This will lead to heart attacks and strokes.
The sixth risk is erectile dysfunction. The penis is a vascular organ that receives blood flow from the heart.
If a man is unable to maintain an erection for an extended period or at all, he should not ignore the problem. Sometimes, it can suggest a more serious health issue.
It can be the first symptom of an underlying vascular disease.
The researcher suggests that healthy lifestyle habits and regular heart health check are very important to protect men’s heart.
The healthy lifestyle habits include get 30 minutes of exercise five times per week, eat a heart-healthy diet, stop smoking and sleep well.
In addition, some people may need medications or surgeries to reduce their health risks.
They may need to control chronic health conditions, such as diabetes, obesity, alcohol, smoking, high blood pressure, high cholesterol or low testosterone. All of these contribute to heart disease.
Copyright © 2019 Knowridge Science Report. All rights reserved.
