In 2019, one in four men died from heart disease in the US, making it the leading cause of death in men. Half of those men had no prior symptoms before dying from a heart attack. Although some factors that contribute to heart disease cannot be changed–like a family history of heart disease–other risks that make men more susceptible to heart disease can be lowered. Take a look at how men can lower their risk of heart disease.

Men Can Lower Their Risk of Heart Disease with Lifestyle Changes

Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is one of the leading causes of heart disease in men. Between 2013 and 2016, nearly 50%  of men in the US were diagnosed with hypertension. 

The good news is that hypertension and other risk factors that increase the chance of heart disease in men can often be solved with lifestyle changes. The following risks increase the chance of a heart attack in men:

• Diabetes
• Being overweight or obese
• Unhealthy diet
• Physical inactivity
• Drinking too much alcohol

Although there is no prevention for type 1 diabetes, men can reduce their chances of developing type 2 diabetes by, you guessed it, making healthy changes to their lifestyle. Changes such as switching to a heart-healthy diet and beginning a daily exercise or physical activity lower your risk of multiple serious conditions as well as your risk of heart disease. 

Other lifestyle changes men can make to lower their risk of heart disease is to stop drinking or limit their alcohol consumption. Quitting smoking is also key. Smoking is a leading cause of early death in men in the US. When you stop smoking, your risk of diseases associated with that habit begins to decrease and can eventually return to that of a person who has never smoked. 

Reducing stress levels is also key to lowering your hypertension and heart disease risk. Stress is a leading cause of hypertension in men. In addition to a healthier diet and exercise, men can lower their stress levels by getting plenty of sleep, taking “timeout” for a break, and incorporating healthy coping mechanisms like deep breathing exercises, talking with others about problems, connecting with their community or faith-based organizations, and seeking professional help when needed.

Lower the Risk of Heart Attack with Annual Checkups

Let’s be real. Nobody wants to go to the doctor when they aren’t sick. But annual health checkups are the key to detecting early signs of chronic illness such as heart disease. Early detection increased your chances of reversing those signs and reducing your risk of illness. So, while we get that it’s tough to think about going to the doctor when you feel fine, that health checkup visit could be the key to saving your life. 

EliteCare makes annual health checkups easy and convenient by offering walk-in primary care visits seven days a week. No appointment is necessary, just stop by our clinic during our regular business hours. Visit us Monday – Friday from 8 am until 6 pm, Saturday from 8 am – 3 pm, and on Sundays from 1 pm to 5 pm.