Why Men Should Take Care of Their Heart Health

Heart disease is a leading cause of death in the United States, which means everyone of every age and sex should think about protecting this critical organ. For men, though, heart health warrants some special attention.

That’s why our team at Louisiana Heart and Vascular Institute, with offices in Covington, Franklinton, and Hammond, Louisiana, urges men to schedule cardiology consultations. 

Our providers take the time to learn about your family history of heart issues and any personal risk factors. Then, we may recommend diagnostic tests to see how well your heart functions. That allows us to tailor a heart health plan to your needs. 

Why heart disease is of special concern for men 

Men tend to deal with heart issues earlier and more often than women; on average, men get diagnosed with heart disease a decade earlier than women. This trend is largely due to the underlying risk factors that typically affect them. 

For example, data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shows that more than half of men across the country have high blood pressure, a top risk factor for heart health problems. That all makes men twice as likely as women to deal with a heart attack. 

Clearly, men must take their heart health seriously. That means carefully monitoring the heart and watching for factors that heighten the risk of cardiovascular issues. We’re here to help. 

How men can care for their hearts

Some lifestyle changes make a significant difference for your heart health. Those include:

• Eating a healthy diet rich in whole foods
• Minimizing alcohol intake
• Managing stress
• Getting regular exercise
• Avoiding smoking

For other heart health assistance, involving a medical care team can make things easier. We can help you measure and manage your blood pressure and cholesterol levels, for example.

We also offer in-office testing, such as echocardiograms and stress tests. These let us see how your heart performs in different scenarios. In this way, we can identify problems early, before they pose a serious risk to your health.

With all this information about your heart, our team forms a plan. If you’re dealing with a heart condition, we develop a treatment regimen. If not, we help you make adjustments to your life to support your heart health based on your specific risk factors. 

Men, don’t become a statistic. For the care your heart needs, call Louisiana Heart and Vascular Institute or schedule an appointment online today.