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Heart Disease and Stroke in Men
Heart Disease and Stroke in Men
Heart Disease
Stroke
Know about Your Risk
Blood Pressure
Total Blood Cholesterol
Steps You Can Take for a Healthier Heart
Publications and Organizations
Did you know that more American men die from heart disease than from any other cause?
And stroke is the 3rd leading cause of death in men. Men are 30% more likely to
suffer a stroke than are women. Both heart disease and stroke are cardiovascular diseases,
or diseases of the blood vessels. 1 in 3 men can expect to develop some major
cardiovascular disease before the age of 60.
The most common form of heart disease is coronary heart disease (CHD). The heart needs
oxygen that it gets through the blood in the coronary arteries. When the arteries get
smaller or clogged and can't get enough blood to the heart, you get CHD. If the blood
supply is completely cut off, you can have a heart attack. The part of the heart that does
not get oxygen begins to die, and some of the heart muscle may be permanently damaged.
| Know the Warning Signs of a Heart Attack Every
minute counts, even if the symptoms seem to disappear! Know that not everyone gets all of
these warning signs. Sometimes these signs can go away and return. Treatments are most
effective if given within one hour of when the attack begins.
If you have these symptoms, call 911 right away!
Signs of Heart Attack
chest discomfort or uncomfortable pressure, fullness, squeezing, or pain
in the center of the chest that lasts longer than a few minutes, or comes and goes
spreading pain to one or both arms, back, jaw, or stomach
cold sweats and nausea
As with men, women's most common heart attack symptom is chest pain or
discomfort. But women are somewhat more likely than men to have some of the other warning
signs, such as shortness of breath, nausea, vomiting, and back or jaw pain. |
Stroke
There are two types of stroke. An ischemic (iss-kee-mik) stroke happens when a blood
vessel that goes to the brain is blocked, and blood can't get to the brain. A hemorrhagic
(heh-muh-ra-jik) stroke happens when a blood vessel breaks and blood goes into the brain.
Sometimes a person can have a "mini stroke," or transient ischemic attack (TIA).
A TIA is a stroke that happens when a blood vessel to the brain is blocked for a short
time and less blood reaches the brain. You may have weakness on one side of the body,
sudden loss of vision, numbness, tingling, and/or problems speaking and walking. It can
last a few minutes up to 24 hours. Then you're back to normal. Many people don't even know
they've had a TIA, because it doesn't cause lasting damage. But, a TIA is usually a sign
of a full stroke to come, so it's important to know these symptoms.
| Know the Warning Signs of a Stroke Not
everyone gets all of these warning signs. Sometimes, these signs can go away and return.
- sudden numbness or weakness of face, arm, or leg, especially on one side of the body
- sudden confusion, or trouble speaking or understanding speech
- sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes
- sudden trouble walking, dizziness, or loss of balance or coordination
- sudden severe headache with no known cause
- blurred or double vision, drowsiness, and nausea or vomiting
Every minute counts, even if the symptoms seem to disappear! Treatments are most
effective if given within one hour of when the stroke begins. If you have these signs,
call 911 right away! |
Know about Your Risk
Anything that increases your chances of getting a disease is called a risk factor. Some
risk factors for heart disease and stroke, such as age, race, and family history, are out
of your control. But there are risk factors you CAN do something about:
High blood pressure (hypertension). Blood vessels become tight and
constricted, forcing your heart to pump harder to move blood through your body. These
changes cause the blood to press on the vessel walls with greater force.
High blood cholesterol. Cholesterol can build up on the walls of the
arteries that carry blood to your heart, slowing down or blocking the flow of blood and
oxygen to your heart.
Smoking. Cigarette smoking increases the risk of CHD by increasing
blood pressure, decreasing ability to exercise, and increasing the tendency for blood to
clot. Smoking also increases LDL (bad) cholesterol and decreases HDL (good) cholesterol.
Being overweight. Overweight men are more likely to develop
heart-related problems even if they have no other risk factors. Being overweight increases
the chance of developing other risk factors, such as high blood pressure, high blood
cholesterol, and diabetes.
No physical activity. Physical inactivity adds directly to
heart-related problems and increases the chances of developing other risk factors, such as
high blood pressure and diabetes.
Diabetes. Diabetes raises the risk of heart disease and stroke. About
75 percent of people with diabetes die from some type of cardiovascular disease.
Blood Pressure
Blood pressure is a measure of the force of blood pumped from the heart against the
walls of your arteries (or blood vessels). Blood pressure is read as two numbers: a top
number (systolic pressure), or the pressure of blood in the vessels as the heart beats;
and a bottom number (diastolic pressure), or the pressure of the blood between heartbeats.
Ask your health care provider to tell you what your blood pressure number is and what this
means for you.
Blood Pressure Measurements for
Adults |
| Category |
Systolic |
Diastolic |
| Normal |
<120 and |
<80 |
| Prehypertension |
120-139 or |
80-89 |
Hypertension
stage 1 |
140-159 or |
90-99 |
Hypertension
stage 2 |
>160 or |
>100 |
< is less than, > at or greater than
Total Blood Cholesterol
When you have your cholesterol checked, it will come back with four numbers: total
cholesterol, LDL, HDL, and triglycerides.
Total blood cholesterol is your overall score. Less
than 200 mg/dL (milligrams per deciliter) is desirable; 200-239 mg/dL is borderline high,
and 240 mg/dL and above is high.
Low density lipoprotein (LDL) is "bad
cholesterol" because it blocks your arteries. A level of 160 mg/dL or above is high.
High density lipoprotein (HDL) is "good
cholesterol" because it takes the bad cholesterol out of your blood and keeps it from
building up in your arteries. For HDL, higher numbers are better. An HDL level under 40 is
a major risk factor for heart disease, whereas an HDL level of 60 or above is normal.
Triglycerides are another form of fat in your body. A
triglyceride level of 150-199 mg/dL is borderline high and 200 mg/dL or more is high.
Steps You Can Take for a Healthier Heart
Don't smoke or quit if you do. Ask your health care provider for help.
Control your blood pressure. Ask your health care provider what a
healthy number is for you and how often you need it checked.
Eat healthy by including plenty of whole grain products, vegetables, and
fruits in your diet. Choose a diet low in total fat, saturated fat, and cholesterol and
moderate in sugars, salt, and sodium. If you drink alcohol, do so in moderation. Talk to
your health care provider about a heart-healthy eating plan for you.
Lower your cholesterol to the right level, based on your personal risk.
Eat foods low in cholesterol and saturated fat, get 30 minutes of physical activity on
most days of the week, and control your weight. Medicines that lower cholesterol might
also help. Talk to your health care provider to find out what would work for you.
Get at least 30 minutes of physical activity on most days of the week.
Although larger men may face special challenges, just moving any part of your body-even
for a short time-can make you healthier.
Maintain a healthy weight. Ask your health care provider what a healthy
weight is for you.
Have a normal fasting blood glucose level (below 110 mg/dL). Ask your
health care provider when you should be tested. If you have diabetes, monitor and control
your blood sugar levels.
Talk with your health care provider about your heart disease risks and
your family's heart disease history.
Manage your heart disease, if you have it. Your health care provider can
treat your heart disease with medication to help prevent the formation of blood clots.
If you have ever had a "mini stroke," or if you have risk
factors for stroke, tell your health care provider.
Last Updated: November 2003
The following resources can help you stay on top of what you
need to know about heart disease and stroke:
Publications
-
Age Page: Stroke: Prevention and Treatment - This fact sheet offers the definition of a stroke, tips for stroke prevention, and a list of available resources.
-
Know Stroke. Know the Signs. Act in Time. - This publication contains information on what a stroke is, what the signs are of some one having a stroke, and what can be done to prevent stroke.
-
Live Healthier, Live Longer: Cholesterol Counts for Everyone - Visit this interactive page to find information both for those who want to prevent heart disease and for those with heart disease who want to reduce their risk of having a heart attack. It contains a "how to" guide to lowering cholesterol, recipes, engaging activities such as Create-a-Diet, a resource library, tip sheets on heart healthy life habits, quizzes how to read food labels, frequently asked questions, and much more!
-
Men and Heart Disease: An Atlas of Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Mortality - This report provides critical data on geographic, racial, and ethnic inequalities in men’s heart disease death rates for the five major racial and ethnic groups. The Atlas includes more than 200 national and state maps of heart disease mortality. The maps in the Atlas highlight the geographic, racial, and ethnic inequalities in heart disease mortality among men and provide government agencies and their partners at the local, state, and national levels with information to tailor heart-healthy programs and policies to the communities of men with the greatest burden of heart disease.
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Your Guide to Lowering Blood Pressure - "You can do it!" is the message in this action-packed guide. Follow step-by-step instructions on how to achieve and maintain a lower blood pressure through lifestyle and, if prescribed, medication. It's filled with practical advice about how to find your target weight, use herbs and spices to reduce sodium intake, and even how to remember to take your blood pressure medication.
Organizations
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American Heart Association
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National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, NIH, HHS
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National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, NIH, HHS
= Indicates Federal Resources
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