Men’s Health Month: Why Men Should Take Note Of Their Heart Health

While heart disease remains the leading cause of death for men and women in the United States, men are more likely to have a heart attack than women, and more likely to experience one at a younger age, according to the American Heart Association (AHA.)

This issue hits close to home here in Placer County. Heart disease was the leading cause of death in Placer County from 2018 to 2022, according to the county’s community health background report released last December . While the rate of heart disease among Placer County adults decreased from 2019 to 2021, it went up again in 2022.

Harn-Cherng Shiue, MD, an interventional cardiologist at Kaiser Permanente Roseville, shares more about why men are at greater risk of heart disease, why it affects younger men, and ways to prevent a heart attack.

Q: Dr. Shiue, what do we know about heart attacks in men compared to women?

A: Men are statistically more likely to have a heart attack compared to women with research showing that men are twice as likely to have a heart attack throughout life compared to women. The average age men have a first heart attack is 65, with it being 72 for women, according to the AHA.

Q: What are the heart attack risk factors for men?

A: There are many biological and lifestyle factors that contribute to heart disease. Men tend to have a higher prevalence of the adverse factors, which leads to men having more heart attacks than women and men having heart attacks earlier. They are more likely to have high blood pressure and diabetes, and they are more likely to engage in unhealthy lifestyle habits like smoking and drinking alcohol. Estrogen in women can also help prevent heart attacks because the hormone can boost blood vessel health.

Q: What are the warning signs of a heart attack in men?

A: Signs include chest pain, pain in the arms, back, neck, or jaw, shortness of breath, nausea or stomach pain, and being tired or weak. If you are having any of these symptoms, please don’t ignore them. Call 911 and get to the hospital. At Kaiser Permanente Roseville, we treat a broad range of heart conditions, frequently performing life-saving procedures for our patients. Bottom line: The faster you get care, the more likely you will have a full recovery.

Q: You mentioned high blood pressure in men. Can that be a red flag?

A: Anecdotally, we know many men may ignore warning signs. We also know that statistically, men are less likely to visit their doctor regularly.

High blood pressure is sometimes called “the silent killer” because most people don’t notice their blood pressure is high and do not have symptoms. High blood pressure increases your risk for heart attacks and stroke. Visiting your doctor regularly is the best way to catch high blood pressure early to minimize damage to your body and decrease your risk of a heart attack and stroke.

There can be some signs include swelling (edema), headaches, sudden weight gain, changes in vision, nausea or vomiting, urinating only a little bit at a time, or pain in your abdomen. If men experience these issues, they should talk to the doctor as soon as possible. High blood pressure can be controlled.

Q: It’s best to prevent a heart attack in the first place. What do men need to know?

A: I am so proud of the high-quality cardiac care Kaiser Permanente provides to its members and patients. We are relentless when it comes to prevention, with screening, monitoring, and population health management programs that target the root causes of cardiac risk factors. Our Northern California caregivers have reduced severe heart attacks by 72% using a team-based, preventive approach, according to Kaiser Permanente’s Northern California Division of Research.

To reduce your risk of having a heart attack:

• Get regular exercise, adequate sleep, and follow a heart-healthy diet, focusing on plant-based eating.
• Stop smoking and reduce your alcohol intake. Men should limit their alcohol consumption to no more than 2 drinks per day.
• Find healthy ways to cope with stress and anger issues.
• Make sure you get your routine, preventive screenings through your doctor. See your doctor to ensure you are keeping your blood pressure, cholesterol, and weight under control.