Heart Disease in Men
Heart disease is an umbrella term for several heart conditions, including coronary artery disease and heart attack. Let’s find out the signs and symptoms specific to men’s heart disease for early detection and treatment.
Signs and Symptoms of Heart Disease in Men
While some men might experience no symptoms at all, here are some common signs and symptoms of heart disease in men to be aware of:
- Chest pain or discomfort: This is often described as a squeezing, pressure, or tightness in the chest. It can also radiate to the shoulders, arms, jaw, neck, or back.
- Shortness of breath: This can occur at rest or during exertion.
- Pain in the arm, jaw, or shoulder: This pain can sometimes be mistaken for indigestion or heartburn.
- Fatigue: This can be a general feeling of tiredness or lack of energy and is occasionally a non-specific sign of heart problems.
- Dizziness or lightheadedness: This can be a sign that the heart is not pumping blood effectively to the brain.
- Sweating: This can be a sign of a heart attack, especially if it is accompanied by other symptoms.
- Swollen legs or ankles: This can be a sign of heart failure, a condition in which the heart is not able to pump blood effectively. The blood instead starts to pool.
Risk Factors for Heart Disease in Men
There are several factors that can raise a man’s risk of heart disease. Some of the most typical ones include:
- Age: As men get older, their risk of heart disease increases (1).
- High blood pressure: Uncontrolled high blood pressure can damage the heart and blood vessels.
- High cholesterol: High levels of LDL (bad) cholesterol and low levels of HDL (good) cholesterol can increase the buildup of plaque in the arteries.
- Diabetes: Diabetes can damage the heart, blood vessels, and nerves.
- Overweight and obesity: Carrying excess weight can put a strain on the heart.
- Smoking: Smoking damages the blood vessels and increases the risk of blood clots.
- Physical inactivity: A lack of exercise can increase the risk of heart disease.
- Unhealthy diet: A diet high in saturated fat, trans fat, cholesterol, sodium, and sugar can increase the risk of heart disease.
- Stress: Chronic stress can increase blood pressure and damage the heart (2).
- Sleep apnea: A sleep disorder that causes breathing to stop and start during sleep (3).
Ways to Take Care of Your Heart
The good news is that there are many ways to reduce their risk of heart disease and live a longer, healthier life:
- Maintain a healthy weight: Losing even a small amount of weight can improve heart health for overweight or obese individuals.
- Eat a healthy diet: Choose a diet that is low in saturated fat, trans fat, cholesterol, sodium, and sugar. Focus on plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.
- Get regular exercise: The American Heart Association recommends at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity aerobic activity per week (4).
- Quit smoking: Smoking is one of the leading causes of heart disease. The best thing you can do for your heart health is to stop smoking.
- Manage stress: Find healthy ways to cope with stress, such as exercise, relaxation techniques, or spending time with loved ones.
- Control your blood pressure: Have your blood pressure checked regularly and take medication as prescribed by your doctor.
- Control your cholesterol: Have your cholesterol levels checked regularly and take medication as prescribed by your doctor
- Get regular checkups: Schedule regular checkups with your doctor to monitor your blood pressure, cholesterol, and other risk factors for heart disease. Your heart health can be considerably improved by early detection and treatment.
- Limit alcohol consumption: Excessive alcohol consumption can increase your risk of heart disease. The Ministry of Health Singapore recommends that men limit their alcohol intake to two standard drinks per day (5).
- Get enough sleep: Aim for 7-8 hours of sleep each night. Sleep deprivation can be detrimental to your overall health and has been found to increase your risk of heart disease (6).
- Manage diabetes: If you have diabetes, it is important to manage your blood sugar levels carefully to reduce your risk of heart disease.
- See a doctor if you experience any symptoms: Don’t ignore any symptoms of heart disease and consult a doctor right away if you experience any of the symptoms mentioned above. Early diagnosis and treatment can make a big difference in your health outcome.
Heart disease is a serious health condition, but it is preventable. By making healthy lifestyle choices and managing your risk factors, you can significantly reduce your risk of developing heart disease. Don’t wait till you have a heart attack to take action. Start taking care of your heart today!
References
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22499900/
- https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-1-4615-3712-0_9
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11208620/
- https://www.heart.org/en/healthy-living/fitness/fitness-basics/aha-recs-for-physical-activity-in-adults
- https://www.moh.gov.sg/news-highlights/details/alcohol-recommended-limits-and-public-education
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29206050/
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