Heart Risks for Men

Taking measures to improve your health is easy; when you know the risks of a heart attack. Signs of a heart attack in men and women include discomfort, squeezing, fullness, and pain in the:

• • • Centre of your chest
    • Neck
    • Jaw
    • Arm
    • Back
    • Shoulder
    • And unusual tiredness, nausea, and lightheadedness.

Risk factors are traits and lifestyle habits that can eliminate the risk of a heart attack. This article will help you know about heart attacks, the signs of a heart attack in men, and the associated major risk factors.   

What Is a Heart Attack?

A heart attack most commonly develops due to atherosclerosis (fatty build-ups) in the arteries that carry blood to the heart muscles. This fatty build-up narrows the arteries, making blood flow harder. If this fatty build-up ruptures, a blood clot develops. This clot further restricts the flow of blood.

A heart attack occurs when blood flow to heart muscles is completely stopped. Damage increases if an artery stays blocked longer, resulting in permanent heart damage. The amount of damage that occurs to the heart muscle depends on the size of the area supplied by the blocked artery. It is important to open the blocked artery as soon as possible to reduce damage caused to the heart.   

What Are The First Signs of a Heart Attack in Men?

Atherosclerosis develops over time; it often shows no early signs in young males until there’s enough damage to reduce the blood flow to your heart muscle. This means a man shows no experiences symptoms of a heart attack or heart failure. When these events happen, symptoms of a heart attack in males may include the following:

• • Uncomfortable pressure on the chest, squeezing, fullness, or pain in the centre of the chest. These symptoms of a heart attack in men last more than a few minutes, go away or come back.  
  • Pain or discomfort in arms, neck, chest, jaw, and back.
  • Breathing issues with or without chest discomfort
  • Other early signs of a heart attack in males include nausea, lightheadedness, or breaking out in a cold sweat. 

Men should know these warning signs of heart disease to get it immediately diagnosed and treated.   

What are the Heart Risk Factors for Men?

Heart issues in men develop ten years earlier than in women. Early signs of a heart attack in men can include erectile dysfunction (ED). Sexual problems could indicate future heart problems. Additionally, even erectile dysfunction that gets your attention can put you on a path to better preventive care. 

1. 1. Erectile dysfunction
      Many men think erectile dysfunction is the inability to achieve an erection strong enough for satisfactory sex. ED is not a normal part of ageing, as many men think; rather, erection issues always indicate a physical issue. Why ED has considered a risk factor for heart disease is that the penis, like the heart, is a vascular organ. Because its arteries are comparatively too small than the heart’s, arterial damage occurs first, after years after signs of heart issues. Men in their 40s who develop erection issues but have no other risk factors for cardiovascular disease run a major risk of developing cardiovascular events within ten years. If the treatment begins as soon as you notice signs of ED over more than a couple of months, it tends to be successful in most cases. ED management by a healthcare specialist will address heart diseases risk factors, such as prediabetes, hypertension (high blood pressure), or excess weight, long before they progress to complications such as heart attack or stroke.  

1. 2. Low testosterone 
      Having low testosterone levels is often associated with low sex drive, but it’s increasingly seen as being linked to type 2 diabetes and heart problem. Research studies show that low testosterone can be considered a cardiovascular and metabolic risk factor. Research is ongoing, but it is already known that people with abdominal obesity or metabolic disorder often have low testosterone levels. Metabolic diseases, including diabetes, abnormal cholesterol levels, and obesity, are the leading risk factors for heart disease.

      Experts say low testosterone is not the only thing contributing to heart risk. But it can be motivating to understand that changes in your sexual function are closely interrelated to the rest of your body. Hence, it is worthwhile to get yourself checked if you suspect something wrong. Men often don’t connect sexual dysfunction to or get tested for stroke or heart attack risk until it develops. But everyone should understand that sexual problems are a message they listen to.   

1. 3. Stress
      Stress, anxiety, and anger elevate blood pressure and stress hormones, reducing blood flow to the heart. Some damage occurs immediately. As per research evidence, the risk of heart attack increases to five times in two hours, and your risk of strokes to three times. The effects of stress build up over time, damaging the arteries. Men who get angry more often or have hostile personalities, in particular, are more likely to develop heart disease. Sexual problems associated with cardiovascular events can cause added anxiety or relationship stress. Stress can also contribute to sleep disruption, affecting heart health. Emotional, physical, and psychological factors are all related to heart health. If someone is suspected of having chronic stress, anxiety, or depression, they should undergo an evaluation of all the risk factors associated with heart disease.                                                   

Promoting a healthy lifestyle is the most important way to prevent heart risks.