men and heart disease:

Time for another wake up call

By Steven Port, MD, Cardiologist

Over the last ten years we have made great strides in both preventing and treating heart disease in men, yet heart disease remains the number one killer of both men and women starting at the age of 45. In 2004, 321,973 men died of heart disease in the United States even though we know so much more about the risk factors for men. So, why hasn’t this number decreased?  First, we still cannot accurately predict who will die from heart disease and second, men need to apply the knowledge we have to control their risk factors which will reduce their risk of heart disease. Many of my male patients struggle with the steps needed to reduce their risk. As with most of us, they are very busy, generally feel healthy especially while still in their 30’s and 40’s and don’t spend as much time paying attention to their bodies compared to women who get an annual physical each year.  However, if men are going to reverse this trend and protect themselves from becoming a victim to heart disease, they need to slow down and pay attention to their risk factors now.

What Are Your Risk Factors?

Years of clinical research have identified several factors that increase the risk of heart disease in men. Knowing these factors to calculate your risk is important to help you determine what lifestyle changes are needed to reduce your risk.

Risks you cannot change

Age: More than 83% of people who die from heart disease are over the age of 65.

Male gender: Men have a greater risk of heart disease and are more likely to have heart attacks earlier in life.

Heredity and Race – If your parents or siblings have or had heart disease you are at a higher risk of developing it yourself.  Also, certain races carry higher risks. African Americans have more severe high blood pressure thus increasing their risk. Mexican Americans, Native Americans, and some Asian Americans are also at higher risk because of higher rates of diabetes and obesity.

Risks you can change

Smoking – Smokers increase their risk of heart disease two to four times greater than non-smokers. 

High blood cholesterol – The higher the cholesterol, the higher the risk for heart disease.  When combined with other risk factors like smoking, the risk is further elevated.

Physical inactivity – Physical activity helps keep the blood vessels and arteries healthy. The more you exercise, the greater the benefit.  But even moderate, regular activity can lower your risk.

Overweight or obesity – Excess body fat increases your risk for heart disease, even if you have no other risk factors present.  If your excess body fat is carried primarily around the waist (apple shape body) your risk is increased even more.

Diabetes – This is a very serious risk factor impacting heart disease. About 75% of people with diabetes die from some sort of heart or blood vessel disease. If you have diabetes it is imperative that you work to keep your blood sugar under control.

 Know the Warning Signs

It is important for all men and their loved ones to know the warning signs of a heart attack. The sooner you seek emergency treatment, the better your chance of survival and the more likely that physicians can save more of your heart muscle. The longer your heart goes without oxygen during a heart attack, the greater the amount of heart muscle that dies. Today, advances in medicine and technology give heart attack patients a much greater chance of a good outcome.

Most heart attacks happen gradually with more subtle signs of changes so many men do not immediately know they are experiencing a heart attack. Warning signs for men include:

Chest discomfort – Tightness and squeezing most often in the center of the chest. Can last for a few minutes or may come and go.

Discomfort in the arms, neck, jaw or stomach.

Shortness of breath

Breaking out in a cold sweat or feeling nausea or lightheadedness may also occur

If you think you are having a heart attack, don’t wait to seek help.  Dial 9-1-1 immediately. Do not drive yourself.  Even if you are not sure, it is important that you seek emergency help. It could save your life.

Steps You Should Take Now to Prevent Heart Disease

Stop smoking.  It is the single most important thing you can do to reduce your risk.

Exercise 3-5 times a week. Find a way to work in at least 30 minutes of exercise daily. Treat it as you do other necessary things in your life like eating a meal or taking a shower.

Lose weight. If you are overweight or obese start a program to lost weight. Even 10 pounds lost positively impacts your risk of heart disease.

Get your cholesterol checked. If your cholesterol is out of the healthy range work with your physician to reduce it through diet or medications.

Check your glucose levels. It is important to catch diabetes early. Catching “pre-diabetes”, a precursor to the disease, early can help you make positive lifestyle changes to avoid this deadly and damaging chronic disease.

Consider a coronary calcium scan to see if you already have any plaque in your heart arteries.

Now is the time to take action. Regardless of your age, it is imperative that men take time to manage their health. For more information about managing your heart health, visit www.aurorahealthcare.org .