It’s often said that men tend to neglect health problems until they become serious and are less likely to see a doctor than women, and there’s some truth to both of these statements. More men than women die from virtually every illness both sexes can experience. Even in diseases that affect more women than men, men will sometimes experience worse outcomes once diagnosed, possibly due to the tendency to seek help only once the illness has progressed. The good news is simple lifestyle changes can prevent many of the most common health conditions men suffer. Keep reading to learn about some of the most common health conditions in men and what you can do to avoid them.
Cardiovascular Disease In Men
According to data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics, ischaemic heart disease, a form of cardiovascular disease also known as coronary heart disease or coronary artery disease, was the leading killer of men in Australia in 2021.
What Is Cardiovascular Disease?
Cardiovascular disease (or heart disease) is a disease affecting the heart and blood vessels
What Are The 5 Most Common Cardiovascular Diseases?
1) Coronary Heart Disease
Coronary heart disease, also known as ischaemic heart disease or coronary artery disease, is a chronic condition caused by blockages to the arteries that provide blood to the heart. Coronary artery disease can cause a heart attack or cardiac arrest.
2) Heart Failure And Cardiomyopathy
- Heart failure (or congestive heart failure) is a chronic condition that occurs when the heart has become so weak it can no longer pump blood effectively, and pressure builds up in the blood vessels of the lungs, making them leak fluid.
- The term cardiomyopathy covers a series of diseases that affect the heart muscle and constrict the heart’s ability to pump blood. Although the AIHW does not differentiate between heart failure and cardiomyopathy and puts them jointly at number two, cardiomyopathy is a heart muscle disease that affects the heart’s ability to pump blood around the body adequately and can be a cause of heart failure. Cardiomyopathy can cause cardiac arrest.
3) Atrial Fibrillation
Atrial fibrillation is a particular type of irregular heartbeat caused by the fibrillation, or quivering, of the heart’s upper chambers. Atrial fibrillation is manageable but can lead to heart failure, stroke and other complications if left untreated.
4) Stroke
A stroke is a disruption of the blood supply to the brain. This can be either due to a blood clot or an accumulation of plaque blocking a blood vessel (ischaemic stroke) or when a blood vessel in the brain ruptures (haemorrhagic stroke).
5) Peripheral Arterial Disease
Peripheral arterial disease is a lack of blood flow to body parts other than the heart or brain due to the narrowing or blockage of blood vessels. It can cause serious consequences like organ damage or loss of limbs, fingers or toes.
