What Every Man Should Know About Their Heart Health

Cardiovascular disease remains one of the leading causes of ill health and death among men in the UK. While many people associate heart disease with later life, the reality is that cardiovascular disease can begin developing decades before other symptoms appear.

In fact, men are more likely than women to develop cardiovascular disease at a younger age, making awareness and early intervention particularly important.

Understanding your personal risk factors, recognising potential warning signs and taking proactive steps to protect your heart health can significantly reduce the likelihood of serious cardiovascular events such as heart attacks or strokes.

The facts

• Men tend to develop coronary heart disease at a younger age than women.
• Cardiovascular risk can increase silently over many years, even in people who feel fit and well.
• Men account for approximately 2/3 of cardiovascular deaths occurring before the age of 75. [British Heart Foundation]
• Many men develop cardiovascular disease earlier than women. [British Heart Foundation]
• Symptoms are often subtle and easily dismissed. [British Heart Foundation]
• Family history can significantly influence risk. [British Heart Foundation]
• High blood pressure, cholesterol and diabetes may cause no symptoms but increase cardiovascular risk. [NHS]
• Early assessment and screening can identify problems before serious complications develop.

Why are men more likely to develop cardiovascular disease earlier?

One of the most important differences between men and women is the age at which cardiovascular disease tends to develop.

Before menopause, women benefit from the protective effects of oestrogen, which appears to help support healthy blood vessels and cholesterol levels. Men do not have this protection, meaning the process of artery narrowing and plaque build-up can begin earlier.

Many men may already have detectable signs of coronary artery disease in their 40s & 50s, even if they feel fit and well.

While ageing is a factor, cardiovascular disease is not an inevitable part of getting older. Lifestyle choices, genetics and underlying medical conditions all contribute significantly to risk.

5 heart symptoms men commonly dismiss

Many heart conditions develop gradually, with symptoms becoming noticeable long before a major cardiac even occurs. Unfortunately, men often relate these symptoms to stress, ageing, poor fitness or a busy lifestyle. Some of the most overlooked warning signs can include:

1. Breathlessness – Feeling more short of breath during activities that were previously manageable should not be ignored. Many men may assume they are simply getting older or less fit, but breathlessness can sometimes indicate reduced heart function or coronary artery disease.
2. Persistent Fatigue – If running, cycling, walking or other forms of exercise become more difficult, this may signal an underlying cardiovascular problem. A noticeable decline in physical performance warrants medical assessment, especially when it occurs without an obvious explanation.
3. Reduced Exercise Tolerance – If running, cycling, walking or other forms of exercise become more difficult, this may signal an underlying cardiovascular problem. A noticeable decline in physical performance warrants medical assessment, especially when it occurs without an obvious explanation.
4. Palpitations – A racing, fluttering or irregular heartbeat is often blamed on stress, anxiety or too much caffeine. While palpitations are often harmless, they can occasionally indicate heart rhythm disorders such as atrial fibrillation, which may increase the risk of a stroke if untreated.
5. Chest Discomfort – Heart related chest discomfort is not always severe pain, but may present as:
   • Pressure
   • Tightness
   • Heaviness
   • Burning
   • Squeezing
   • Indigestion-like discomfort

How important is family history?

Family history is one of the most significant cardiovascular risk factors that cannot be changed. Men should be particularly aware of their risk if a first-degree family member (parent, sibling, children) have experienced:

• A heart attack at a relatively young age
• Coronary article disease
• A stroke
• High cholesterol
• Sudden cardiac death

Inherited conditions can affect cholesterol metabolism, blood pressure regulation and the development of coronary artery disease. A family history does not guarantee that someone will develop cardiovascular disease, but it does mean that early monitoring and preventative strategies may be appropriate.

Why knowing your numbers matters

Many of the biggest cardiovascular risk factors do not cause symptoms until significant damage has already occurred, making it important to understand your key health measurements.

1. Blood Pressure

High blood pressure (hypertension) places excess strain on the heart and blood vessels. Over time, this can increase the risk of:

• Heart attack
• Stroke
• Heart Failure
• Kidney disease

Because high blood pressure can often cause no symptoms, regular checks are essential.

2. Cholesterol

Raised cholesterol contributes to plaque build-up within the arteries, reducing blood flow to the heart and increasing the risk of coronary artery disease. Even people who appear physically healthy may have elevated cholesterol levels. Your cholesterol levels can be checked with a simple blood test.

3. Blood Sugar

Poorly controlled diabetes and pre-diabetes significantly increases cardiovascular risk. Monitoring blood sugar levels can identify problems early and allow intervention before complications develop.

Can fit and healthy men still be at risk?

One of the biggest misconceptions about heart disease is that it only affects people who are overweight or inactive. In reality, some men who exercise regularly and maintain a healthy lifestyle may still have a significant cardiovascular risk due to:

• Genetics
• Elevated cholesterol
• High blood pressure
• Family history
• Hidden coronary artery disease

It is possible to have good fitness levels while developing early artery disease, making cardiovascular risk assessment about more than appearance, weight or athletic performance.

When should you seek urgent medical attention?

You should call 999 immediately if you experience chest pain or discomfort suggestive of a heart attack, particularly if accompanied by breathlessness, sweating, nausea or pain spreading to the arm, jaw, neck or back. Do not wait for symptoms to become severe or persist for a particular length of time.

You should also call 999 for sudden, severe difficulty breathing, collapse, or symptoms suggestive of a stroke, such as sudden facial weakness, arm weakness or speech disturbance.

Expert advice from Dr Konrad Grosser, Consultant (Interventional) Cardiologist

“Coronary artery disease can develop silently over many years, and in some people a heart attack is the first recognised manifestation of the disease. Feeling fit and well does not necessarily mean that your cardiovascular risk is low. I encourage men to understand their cardiovascular risk early in adult life, particularly if they have a family history of premature heart disease, raised cholesterol, high blood pressure, diabetes or other important risk factors.

Depending on an individual’s risk profile, further investigations, including coronary imaging, may be appropriate. The earlier we identify and address cardiovascular risk factors, the greater our opportunity to prevent future cardiovascular events. Effective treatment can slow the progression of atherosclerosis, stabilise plaque and, in some cases, lead to regression.

Although established disease cannot always be reversed, its progression and associated risks can often be substantially reduced. Prevention is about identifying risk early and taking evidence-based action before a cardiovascular event occurs.”

Article produced by

Dr Konrad Grosser

Consultant (Interventional) Cardiologist

KIMS Hospital, Rye Health & Care

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