Good Heart Health And Disease Concerns For Men

Much health education these days focuses on women's health issues, so some men assume that there is nothing they need to do to maintain good health. Unfortunately, men's health statistics tend to show that men need to pay the same attention to their health as women.

 

There are about 155 million men in the US today, and of those, 12% are considered healthy or unhealthy. Men are more susceptible to heart disease, lung cancer, and of course prostate cancer, among others. Men have the same weight control problems as women and suffer from poor eating habits and a lack of proper exercise and nutrition.

 

Areas to improve men's health

 

Lack of physical activity

 

Men still have a long way to go to get enough exercise. Only about half of men over the age of 18 met federal physical activity requirements for aerobic activity through leisure-time activities. Men tend to have more active jobs, which increase their physical activity, but many do not get enough real aerobic exercise for extended periods of time, such as 30 minutes of sustained physical activity per day.

 

Excessive use of alcohol

 

Men also have health problems related to drinking alcohol. In the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention survey, 31% of men over the age of 18 drank at least five or more drinks on any given day in the past year. Of course, some meet the requirements for alcoholism and may have health complications due to their drinking regime.

 

Smoking

 

About 21% of men over the age of 18 are smokers. Smoking increases the risk of heart disease, stroke, and lung cancer, among other things. Bladder cancer is even thought to be triggered by toxins produced in cigarettes.

 

Obesity

 

35% of men aged 20 and older are obese. Obesity is usually caused by poor eating habits and lack of exercise. Being obese means having a greater risk factor for diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and some cancers. Obesity can only be eliminated in the long term through permanent changes in eating habits and exercise, which are things that men tend to let fade over time.

 

High blood pressure

 

High blood pressure is a common condition in American men. About one in three men over the age of 20 have hypertension, and many more have what's called "prehypertension," or blood pressure just below the hypertensive line. Men with prehypertension have a chance to reverse their higher-than-acceptable number with better diet and exercise, but many do not.

 

Men and health insurance

 

Men are more underinsured than women, with 18% of men under 65 without health insurance. This means that they receive less preventive care and important examinations from health professionals that could help improve their quality of life and reduce the complications of uncontrolled diseases.