Heart disease is rarely at the forefront of anyone’s mind, but it’s an insidious threat that’s always there. The more you understand about your cardiovascular health, the more equipped you’ll be to improve it. That’s why many men are taking the initiative to learn more about heart disease, why they’re at risk, and how they can reduce stress on their heart moving forward.
At Indus Healthcare, with offices in Pomona, West Covina, and Montclair, California, Dr. Amit Reenu Paliwal and his experienced team offer a full range of men’s health services, including cardiac care.
What puts men at risk?
Heart disease is the leading cause of death for men in the United States, and it’s well understood that genetics, occupation, and lifestyle are common risk factors. Answers can often be found by digging deeper into family history, diet and exercise (or lack thereof), and work-related stress.
However, men experience higher rates of heart disease than women, and there’s still discussion about why. Here are a few reasons that researchers have put forward to explain the discrepancy.
Dietary differences
It’s well understood that certain foods can exacerbate cardiovascular issues, especially when eaten in excess over long periods of time. These happen to be foods that men often gravitate toward, including red meats, bacon, processed meats, and fried foods.
Avoidance of doctors
The majority of men avoid going to the doctor; this is a well-understood phenomenon, and it’s only gotten worse as medical care has become more expensive. It’s natural to feel uncomfortable being vulnerable around a stranger, but routine visits are necessary to track your heart health.
Unresolved stress
Women are generally more likely to seek out self-care, whether that be talking to a friend, taking a bath, or being mindful of their emotions. Unfortunately, many men don’t feel comfortable opening up to others, leaving their tension and stress unresolved.
Anger issues
Any kind of stress can raise your blood pressure, but especially anger. However, repressing it, as many men do, doesn’t resolve the issue either. Instead, efforts should be made to work through emotions and problems tactfully, rather than letting them boil over and become outbursts.
Alcoholism
While women are more likely to suffer bodily harm due to alcohol abuse, men are more likely to become alcoholics. Alcoholism is one of the leading risk factors for heart disease, right alongside smoking.
Managing your heart health
On average, men develop cardiovascular conditions ten years earlier than women. This is why special care is taken to screen men for various complications, including:
- Heart failure or valve disease
- Coronary artery disease (CAD)
- Arrhythmia, or abnormal heart rhythms
- Pericarditis, or inflammation of the heart lining
- Hypertension, or high blood pressure
- Cardiomyopathy, or enlarged heart
- Congenital heart defects
At Indus Healthcare, we recommend a physical exam every 1-2 years. During this routine check-up, we test your blood pressure, blood sugar, cholesterol levels, BMI, and more. Even if nothing is amiss, this information helps pad out your medical record and improves the accuracy of future tests.
To learn more about cardiovascular disease, schedule a screening by calling the location nearest you, or visit our contact page for more information.
