June is recognized as Men’s Health Month, an opportunity to bring awareness to the health issues men face and encourage early detection and treatment.

Congressman Bill Richardson said it best. “Recognizing and preventing men’s health problems is not just a man’s issue. Because of its impact on wives, mothers, daughters, and sisters. Men’s health is truly a family issue.”

What better way to show the men in your life you love them than by encouraging them to lead a healthy life!

Observing Men’s Health Month

Here are three easy ways men can honor their health this month:

1. Thank your body: Our bodies have carried us through a lot, and sometimes we forget to be kind to them. You can thank your body for its capabilities by stretching, going to bed a little earlier, drinking more water, and cutting back on caffeine and fatty foods. Take this time to enjoy activities you may have put on the back burner, like swimming, kickboxing, running, etc. Our bodies usually try to tell us when something is amiss, but we can get into the habit of ignoring the signs. Try tuning in and listening to what your body is telling you this week.
2. Show your support: Men’s health week is a great opportunity to check in on the other men in your life to see how they’re doing and to show your appreciation for them. It’s also a great time to show your support publicly by wearing blue clothing or a blue ribbon. The blue ribbon is a symbol for Men’s health, and a great conversation starter to raise awareness for common health risks.
3. Make an appointment: Do you have that health thing? That thing that maybe you’ve come to accept, but know deep down it’s time to it get checked out? A funky colored mole, an old knee injury that bugs you, or a digestion issue that keeps flaring up? Whatever your thing may be, take this as a push to finally make that doctor’s appointment!

For a healthier life, men should always pay close attention to the following:

• Cholesterol
• Blood Pressure
• Weight and BMI
• Urination
• Skin, teeth, and eyes

Top Health Risks

In both men and women, heart disease is the leading cause of death worldwide. However, heart conditions in general kill almost twice as many males. According to the CDC, nearly half of all Americans have three or more risk factors for heart disease.

Risk factors to be cautious of include:

• Smoking
• Diabetes
• Obesity
• Physical inactivity
• High blood cholesterol
• High blood pressure

Behind heart disease, the top remaining health concerns for men include:

• Stroke
• Suicide and Depression
• Lung Cancer
• Prostate Cancer

Prioritize

The leading health risks for men are not a secret; they’re common and preventable. Certain diseases don’t show symptoms, so it’s imperative that you regularly visit the doctor for checkups and screenings.

However, according to a Cleveland Clinic survey, a whopping 60% of men don’t go to the doctor at all. And 19% of men admitted they only go to the doctor so that a loved one will stop nagging them—proof that talking about it can help make a difference!

Here is a general rule of thumb for important screenings:

• Colon or rectal cancer screening: 50 years old (age 50)
• Prostate cancer: 50 years old
• Cardiovascular or coronary artery disease: 20 years old (20)
• Blood pressure screenings: 20 years old

Make the commitment to prioritize your health for Men’s Health Month!

We’re also here to help you make that happen. Our facility is equipped to handle any type of medical need. We offer extensive cardiology services and comprehensive care options for emergencies, trauma, injuries, diseases, and health conditions. For a full list of services we provide, please visit our “services” tab.