Symptoms of Heart Disease in Men

A Man Clutching His Chest As Red Surrounds His Body Indicating A Heart Problem.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), heart disease remains the leading cause of death for men in the U.S. Luckily, heart disease is preventable and treatable.

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What Is Heart Disease?

According to the CDC, heart disease can refer to multiple conditions involving the heart. Generally, the term heart disease refers to coronary artery disease and heart attack.

What Are The Most Common Symptoms Of Heart Disease In Men?

The CDC notes that any of the following symptoms may indicate that something isn’t right with your heart.

What Are The Signs Of A Heart Attack In Men?

Chest discomfort or pain
Indigestion, nausea, or vomiting
Upper body discomfort
Feeling dizzy
Severe fatigue
Shortness of breath

Symptoms of Heart Failure

Shortness of breath
Swelling in the feet, ankles, legs, abdomen, or veins of the neck
Fatigue

The CDC notes that symptoms don’t need to be present for you to be at risk for heart disease.

What Are The Early Warning Signs Of Heart Disease In Men?

A few conditions specific to men can be an early indicator that heart disease may be in their future if lifestyle changes are not made.

What Are Some of the “Silent Symptoms of Heart Disease” in Men?

According to an expert at Johns Hopkins Medicine, the following medical conditions may be early indicators of a potential cardiovascular problem:

Erectile dysfunction (ED): Johns Hopkins notes that men in their 40s who struggle to maintain an erection have an 80% risk of developing heart problems within the next decade.
Low-testosterone: Low-T is often linked to other conditions that put the heart at risk, such as high blood sugar, high cholesterol, and excessive weight in the midsection.
Stress: Daily stress, anxiety, and anger issues can all trigger high blood pressure (a top heart disease risk factor for men).

How Does Heart Disease Affect Men Differently Than Women?

According to the Mayo Clinic, men tend to be more likely to be affected by heart disease earlier in life. Women’s heart disease risk is relatively low until after menopause.

Can Heart Palpitations Be A Sign Of Heart Disease?

According to the Mayo Clinic, heart palpitations are rarely caused by medical conditions but rather by stress, anxiety, medications, or exercise. However, these symptoms can indicate an arrhythmia, which is a risk factor for heart disease.

If your heart palpitations last more than a few minutes and are accompanied by the following symptoms, seek emergency medical attention:

Chest pain or discomfort
Fainting
Intense shortness of breath
Intense dizziness

Prevention

Dr. Leslie Cho reported to the Cleveland Clinic that up to 90% of heart disease cases are preventable with better diet, regular exercise, and not smoking.

What Age Should Men Start Getting Check for Heart Disease?

Dr. Leslie Cho recommends that cholesterol screenings start in childhood (as early as seven). While children should not be on cholesterol medication, it is good to get them thinking about prevention strategies, such as proper diet and exercise.

Other tests to prevent heart disease include:

Blood pressure screenings starting at age twenty, then annually.
Getting cholesterol numbers checked every five years (more if risk factors are present).
Have your body mass index (BMI) monitored to assess if weight is a contributing factor.
Getting your blood glucose levels measured to check diabetes risk (diabetes increases your risk for heart disease).

Know Your Risk Factors

According to the Mayo Clinic, the following uncontrollable risk factors can contribute to heart disease:

Age: The older you get, the more risk there is for damaged and narrowing arteries.
Family history of heart disease: This is especially true if the family member was young when diagnosed (under 55 if it was a male relative, under 65 for a female relative).
Sex assigned at birth: Biological males are at a greater risk for heart disease.

Luckily, most of the risk factors for heart disease are within your control. The following lifestyle factors can drastically increase your risk of heart disease:

Smoking: According to the Cleveland Clinic, smokers are twice as likely to have a heart attack as opposed to nonsmokers. This is because tobacco smoke damages arteries.
High cholesterol and high triglycerides: High cholesterol and high triglycerides increase the chance of atherosclerosis (when plaque builds up in the arteries), which is linked to heart attacks and strokes.
High blood pressure: High blood pressure can lead to the arteries becoming thicker and harder. This affects blood flow to the heart and the rest of the body.
Diabetes: According to the CDC, diabetics are twice as likely to develop heart disease because, over time, high glucose levels in the blood can damage the blood vessels and nerves that allow the heart to function.
Obesity: Obesity is a risk factor for diabetes and heart disease.
Unhealthy diet: Diets containing too much saturated fat, trans fat, salt, cholesterol, and sugar are linked to heart disease.
Inactivity: Not getting enough exercise is linked to an increased risk of heart disease as well as other risk factors for heart disease, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, obesity, etc.
Stress: Stress can potentially damage arteries and worsen other risk factors, such as increasing your blood pressure.
Bad dental health: Poor oral hygiene habits can lead to germs getting into the bloodstream from your mouth. This can lead to endocarditis (an infection inside the heart).

Can Heart Disease Symptoms Be Reversed In Men?

There is no way to reverse or cure coronary artery disease. However, there are treatments and lifestyle changes that may reduce symptoms and delay progression.

If you’re trying to prevent or treat heart disease, consider doing the following:

Eat a heart-healthy diet that includes fresh fruits, fresh vegetables, whole grains, low-fat dairy, and Omega-3 fatty acids.
Try to eliminate or at least limit saturated fats, trans fats, salt, sugar, cholesterol, and overly processed foods.
Get doctor-approved exercise regularly.
Get an annual checkup to ensure that your cholesterol, blood pressure, blood sugar, and weight are in a healthy range.
Consider a preventative medical scan.

What Is A Preventative Scan For The Heart?

A preventative scan is a health CT scan of the heart that allows doctors to assess your heart health by checking for calcium buildup in your arteries before it becomes a problem.

To learn more about getting a preventative medical scan near you, check out Preventative Diagnostic Center.

Heart disease is a serious but preventable and treatable condition. Getting a diagnostic scan can give you a better idea of your risk factors so you can live a longer life. Get a heart scan today.