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While statistics say the top health threats for men include heart disease, diabetes, stroke and cancer, common screenings can give clues on their risk for development.
For men who have been in good health, the ages 35 and 40 are usually the years to start basic screenings and continue them every three years. These screenings can give baseline information. Even if that individual doesn’t have a health concern at that time, it can help identify what their ‘normal’ reading is so that in the future, we can compare readings and track any development that may be occurring.
Screenings are also useful for determining lifestyle changes to slow the advancement of a health problem. If results indicate high cholesterol, or blood pressure, a change in diet can help bring the readings into a normal range. Medication may be needed and it may help avoid a full-blown heart attack. Information fromscreenings can help us develop a plan to avoid bigger problems later.
Cholesterol
A cholesterol screening can help estimate the risk of developing heart disease, the number one killer of men. High cholesterol is associated with atherosclerosis, or hardening of the arteries, which can lead to stroke, so knowing individual levels will help determine if any lifestyle changes are needed.
A normalblood cholesterol level is under 200. A reading between 200 and 239 is borderline high, and anything 240 or above is high.
Blood Pressure
When blood pressure is high, the heart must work harder to pump blood throughout the body. Over time, this can also develop into heart disease resulting in a heart attack or stroke. It’s often called the silent killer because there are no symptoms of elevated blood pressure.
A blood pressure check can be done in the doctor’s office, at a health fair, or even at home using a home monitoring device. Blood pressure levels vary depending on activity levels and even time of day. Checking it while at rest and relaxed gives the most accurate reading. Because there are no symptoms of high blood pressure, it’s a good idea to check it regularly. It’s especially important for those who are overweight, have diabetes, or have a family history of heart disease.
A reading of 120/80 is considered ideal. 120 – 139/80 – 89 indicates pre-hypertension, 140 – 159/90 – 99 is stage 1 hypertension and 160 or more/100 or more is stage 2 hypertension.
Prostate Cancer
As the most common cancer in American men, other than skin cancer, prostate screening can play an important role in the treatment of it.
The American Foundation for Urologic Disease recommends a prostate exam for men over age 50. African American men or men with a family history of prostate troubles should begin regular exams at age 45.
Many prostate cancers are slow-growing while others are aggressive. The screening finds the cancer, but determining its rate of growth is another issue. The best advice is to talk with your doctor and understand the risks and benefits based on your particular situation.
While statistics say the top health threats for men include heart disease, diabetes, stroke and cancer, common screenings can give clues on their risk for development.
For men who have been in good health, the ages 35 and 40 are usually the years to start basic screenings and continue them every three years. These screenings can give baseline information. Even if that individual doesn’t have a health concern at that time, it can help identify what their ‘normal’ reading is so that in the future, we can compare readings and track any development that may be occurring.
Screenings are also useful for determining lifestyle changes to slow the advancement of a health problem. If results indicate high cholesterol, or blood pressure, a change in diet can help bring the readings into a normal range. Medication may be needed and it may help avoid a full-blown heart attack. Information fromscreenings can help us develop a plan to avoid bigger problems later.
Cholesterol
A cholesterol screening can help estimate the risk of developing heart disease, the number one killer of men. High cholesterol is associated with atherosclerosis, or hardening of the arteries, which can lead to stroke, so knowing individual levels will help determine if any lifestyle changes are needed.
A normalblood cholesterol level is under 200. A reading between 200 and 239 is borderline high, and anything 240 or above is high.
Blood Pressure
When blood pressure is high, the heart must work harder to pump blood throughout the body. Over time, this can also develop into heart disease resulting in a heart attack or stroke. It’s often called the silent killer because there are no symptoms of elevated blood pressure.
A blood pressure check can be done in the doctor’s office, at a health fair, or even at home using a home monitoring device. Blood pressure levels vary depending on activity levels and even time of day. Checking it while at rest and relaxed gives the most accurate reading. Because there are no symptoms of high blood pressure, it’s a good idea to check it regularly. It’s especially important for those who are overweight, have diabetes, or have a family history of heart disease.
A reading of 120/80 is considered ideal. 120 – 139/80 – 89 indicates pre-hypertension, 140 – 159/90 – 99 is stage 1 hypertension and 160 or more/100 or more is stage 2 hypertension.
Prostate Cancer
As the most common cancer in American men, other than skin cancer, prostate screening can play an important role in the treatment of it.
The American Foundation for Urologic Disease recommends a prostate exam for men over age 50. African American men or men with a family history of prostate troubles should begin regular exams at age 45.
Many prostate cancers are slow-growing while others are aggressive. The screening finds the cancer, but determining its rate of growth is another issue. The best advice is to talk with your doctor and understand the risks and benefits based on your particular situation.
Diabetes
Boys born in 2000 have a one-in-three chance of developing diabetes in their lifetimes, according to WebMD. Diabetes can creep up, with virtually no symptoms in the beginning. Frequent urination and thirst are often the first things noticed. Excess glucose in the body affects blood vessels and nerves, and in worst cases, can cause heart attacks, stroke and kidney failure for thousands of men.
A blood sugar glucose screening is recommended beginning at age 45, but some experts are calling for that to be lowered to age 30, saying it would prevent a significant number of heart attacks, deaths and diabetes-related health complications. Again, talk with your doctor. He or she is familiar with your history and current health condition.
A reading of 70 – 99 mg/dL after fasting is considered normal. Two hours after eating, the normal range is 70 – 145 mg/dL, and an average reading from a random test without fasting is 70 – 125 mg/dL.
Health screenings are important for early detection of diseases or other possible health problems. They’ve played an important role in preventive care for a wide range of common health concerns. A key factor is for individuals to follow up with their doctors after a health screening in order to get the individualized treatment needed.
By Dang Nguyen, MD, family medicine physician with Maplewood Family Medicine Clinic and member of the medical staff at West Calcasieu Cameron Hospital
