Men's Heart Care
Heart disease is the #1 killer of men in the United States, and more than half of those who died had no previous symptoms. Men have a greater heart attack risk than women and they experience attacks earlier in life, therefore it is imperative that you have your yearly checkups and understand the risks and symptoms of heart disease, so you are able to be proactive in your heart health.
Heart disease, or cardiovascular disease, refers to several conditions of the heart and blood vessels. Many of these are related to atherosclerosis, a condition where plaque builds up in the walls of the arteries and narrows them, making it harder for blood to flow through and easier for clots to form.
There are a myriad of risk factors that can make men more susceptible to heart disease, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, being overweight, smoking and alcohol consumption.
Heart Attack
Heart attack symptoms can vary among men - some don't experience chest pain at all. In some cases, symptoms are mild and can come on slowly, so heart attacks are not always easily recognizable. Symptoms or signs of a heart attack can include:
- Pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain in the center of the chest that lasts more than a few minutes
- Pain or discomfort in one or both arms, back, neck, jaw or stomach
- Shortness of breath
- Cold sweat
- Nausea
- Dizziness
Call 911 if you or someone you are with seems to be having a heart attack.
Heart Failure
Heart failure occurs in response to the heart being unable to pump enough blood for the body to function. It can be a symptom of a previous bout of heart disease, an event such as a heart attack or related to non-cardiac conditions such as diabetes, obesity, lung disease and sleep apnea.
Symptoms can include shortness of breath, persistent coughing or wheezing, swelling (edema), fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea, confusion and increased heart rate. Treatments can include managing health through lifestyle changes, medications, device implantation or surgical procedures.
Call 911 if you or someone you are with seems to be having a heart attack.
Arrhythmia
Arrhythmia is a condition in which there is an irregular heart rate, often presenting as a fluttering sensation, pressure or pain in the chest or neck, skipped heartbeats, fatigue, dizziness, shortness of breath or anxiety. Arrhythmia can be caused by a variety of heart diseases and rhythm disorders.
For more information about the symptoms and causes of these conditions, visit heart.org.