Author: Leslie Toldo
The average life expectancy for a man is around 75 years. However, every year thousands of men die much younger. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) latest data, heart disease is the number one cause of death among men, followed by cancer, unintentional injuries, COVID-19, and stroke.
Heart disease has ranked as the number one cause of death for more than 100 years. It is responsible for one in every four men’s deaths. That added up to nearly 400 thousand lives lost in 2021. While there is a genetic component to heart disease, many of the risk factors are preventable.
“Avoiding tobacco use, maintaining a healthy metabolic profile (knowing your blood sugar and cholesterol numbers and correcting them as needed), eating healthy, and getting at least 30 minutes of uninterrupted, moderate exercise most days of the week can substantially lower your risk for the most common form of heart disease, coronary artery disease (CAD),” said McLaren Flint Interventional Cardiologist Dr. Hameem Changezi.
CAD is caused by plaque buildup in the walls of the arteries that supply blood to the heart. CAD can also lead to heart failure and abnormal heart rhythms (arrhythmias). Unfortunately, often the first sign of CAD is a heart attack.
“That’s why it is important to stay on top of your heart health,” said Dr. Changezi, “Know your blood pressure, blood sugar, body mass index, and cholesterol numbers. If they are elevated, you can take steps to get them under control, including taking prescription medications to regulate them. “
High blood pressure is also the leading cause of the number five killer, stroke. In fact, the same lifestyle changes that lower your risk for heart disease also can have a tremendous impact on stroke risk. Unfortunately, as is the case with heart attacks, a stroke is often the first obvious sign people have that something is wrong.
“A stroke can come on out of nowhere,” said McLaren Flint Interventional Neurologist Dr. Mahmoud Rayes. “Along with knowing the risk factors, it is critical to know the signs of stroke, and take action as quickly as possible if you suspect someone is suffering one.”
The phrase to remember when it comes to stroke is BE FAST:
- B Watch for a sudden loss of balance.
- E Check for vision loss or changes.
- F Look for drooping on one side of the face.
- A Look for weakness in one arm, or side of the body.
- S Listen for slurred or unusual speech.
- T Call 911 right away. Time lost is brain lost.
The second leading cause of death can also go undetected until it is at a dangerous stage. The American Cancer Society estimates more than half a million Americans will die from some form of the disease this year. Lung cancer will be, by far, the leading cause of cancer death among men.
“Smoking is, hands-down, the number one risk factor for lung cancer, responsible for up to 90 percent of the cases in the United States,” said McLaren Proton Therapy Center Radiation Oncologist Dr. Christian Hyde. “Beyond lung cancer, cigarette smoking can also cause esophagus cancer, throat cancer and many others. Even secondhand smoke can be fatal. If you are a smoker, quitting is the number one thing you can do for your health – cancer, heart and stroke risks will all go down; you’ll feel better and save thousands every year.”
Men with histories of smoking at least a pack a day for 20 years or longer, even those who’ve quit within the last 15 years are eligible for annual lung cancer screenings. The quick, painless test is a low dose computed tomography (CT) scan.
Men can also screen annually for prostate cancer, with a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test. Prostate cancer is the most common cancer and the second leading cause of cancer death among men. The American Cancer Society recommends men talk with their doctors about their individual prostate cancer risk to determine the best screening plan for them.
“African American men or those who have one or more first-degree relatives, like a father or brother diagnosed before age 65 are considered high-risk for developing prostate cancer,” Dr. Hyde said. “Those high-risk men should consider screening as early as age 45. Most men can start PSA screening at age 50. Caught early, prostate cancer has a good cure rate. “
No matter which of these three top killers you are trying to combat, knowing your risk factors, and doing what you can to stay on top of them are key to staying healthy. To learn more about the services available at McLaren Flint, or to find a primary care physician or specialist, visit mclaren.org/flint.