Top Five Health Risks for Men

Millions of men die each year from causes that are at least partially preventable. Knowing how to reduce the risks of these killers may help protect you and your loved ones. (Many of the health tips below are beneficial for women, as well.)

1. Heart Disease
More American men die from heart disease than from any other cause. Heart attacks tend to strike men earlier in life than they do women.

The risk of heart attack can be reduced by:     

• Not smoking, and limiting exposure to secondhand smoke.
• Getting tested regularly for high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes, and keeping these conditions under control.
• Eating a healthy diet and maintaining a healthy weight.
• Getting adequate exercise – at least 30 minutes of physical activity most days of the week.
• Drinking alcohol in moderation.
• Discussing heart disease risks and your family's medical history with your physician.

2. Cancer
An American man has a one in two chance of developing cancer over his lifetime.* Cancer in males is most commonly found in the prostate, lung, colon, and rectum. Many of these cancers, especially colon cancer and prostate cancer, can be found early through regular screening tests (see accompanying box), when the chance for a successful outcome is greatest. In addition to getting regular screenings, men can help lower their risk of dying from cancer by consuming a healthy diet, not smoking, and preventing overexposure to ultraviolet rays.

3. Accidents
According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, accidents are the third-leading cause of death for men. Traffic accidents are the most common, with poisonings second. To reduce your chances of accidental death, consider these tips:

• Wear a seatbelt and obey all traffic laws.
• Don't drive while sleepy or under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
• Monitor the air quality in your home and have fuel-burning appliances inspected each year.
• Read and follow label instructions for household products and medications.
• Wear a helmet when biking, in-line skating, or riding a motorcycle.
• Install smoke detectors and test them regularly.

4. Stroke
Stroke is more than just the fourth-leading cause of death of American men; it's also one of the leading causes of disability.** The same steps that can prevent a heart attack should be followed to reduce the risk of stroke. To minimize the damage caused by a stroke, it's important to know the warning signs, and get help immediately if you experience any of the following symptoms, even temporarily:

• Numbness or weakness of the face, arm, or leg, especially on one side of the body
• Trouble seeing out of one or both eyes; blurred or double vision
• Confusion; trouble speaking or understanding
• Loss of balance or coordination, trouble walking, or dizziness
• A severe headache of unknown cause

5. Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
COPD, the fifth-leading cause of death among men, includes emphysema and chronic bronchitis, but not asthma or other obstructive diseases. Approximately 80% to 90% of COPD cases are caused by smoking.*** Occupational exposure to certain industrial pollutants also increases the odds for COPD, so to prevent the disease, men should avoid smoking and limit exposure to secondhand smoke and pollutants.

Learn More
To learn more about preventing these and other common health risks, consult your health care provider.

A Checklist for Your Next Check-Up Without regular health care and screening tests, men generally don't notice symptoms of many conditions until the disease is advanced. Ask your physician if the following screenings may be appropriate for you. Blood pressure test Cholesterol test Blood sugar test Digital rectal exam Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test Sexually transmitted disease screening Fecal occult blood test Mole exam

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