Heart disease is the leading cause of death for men in the United States. The term “heart disease” can refer to several types of heart conditions. In the United States, the most common type of heart disease is coronary artery disease (CAD). CAD affects the blow flow the heart which can cause a heart attack.
Below is a glimpse into responses from male Flint Registry members and a variety of health indicators identified through their survey responses.
For Men’s Health Awareness Month in November, the Flint Registry talked with Dr. Bobby Mukkamala, Flint physician, and Shon Hart, Executive Director of InvolvedDad. Listen to their insights here:
Flint Registry Men's Health Awareness Month
Take a deeper dive into these indicators, symptoms, and ways to reduce risk.
Angina and Coronary Artery Disease– Angina is chest pain and discomfort. It is a symptom of coronary artery disease (CAD). This happens when plaque — a combination of cholesterol, fat, and other substances — builds up inside the arteries and blocks blood flow to your heart. Some risk factors for CAD we cannot control, such as having a family history of CAD. Exercising regularly, eating a healthy diet, and quitting (or never starting) tobacco may help reduce your risk. Talk to your doctor about your concerns about your heart health. Need a doctor?
Coronary Artery Disease – Coronary artery disease, or CAD, is a type of heart disease that occurs when too much plaque blocks the arteries, restricting blood flow to the heart and eventually causing heart failure. Being overweight, not exercising, smoking, a family history of CAD, and eating unhealthy foods increase your risk of developing CAD. Heart disease, including CAD, is the leading cause of death for men of nearly all races and ethnicities in the United States.
To learn more about angina and coronary artery disease, visit the CDC website:
Coronary Artery Disease
High Blood Pressure – High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, is blood pressure (blood pushing against the artery walls) that is consistently higher than normal. When left untreated, too much blood pressure can damage blood vessels and decrease blood flow to your heart, leading to serious issues like heart attack, kidney disease, and heart failure. Regular check-ups with your doctor can help you find out if you have high blood pressure and make sure you get treatment.
To learn more about high blood pressure, visit the CDC website:
High Blood Pressure
Heart Attack – A heart attack occurs when blood flow to the heart is reduced or stopped. For men, symptoms of a heart attack include pain or discomfort in the chest, jaw, arms and shoulders, weakness, dizziness, extreme fatigue, and shortness of breath. A heart attack is an emergency. Many of the same health conditions and behaviors that can put you at risk of heart disease (such as high blood pressure, smoking, and obesity) are also risk factors for a heart attack.
Heart Attack
High Cholesterol – High cholesterol occurs when there is too much cholesterol in your blood which can build up and increase chances of having a stroke or heart attack. Blood cholesterol is a natural substance in your body that helps with functions like digestion, while dietary cholesterol is found in animal products like meat, eggs, and dairy. Having diabetes, being overweight or obese, and eating foods that are high in dietary cholesterol and fat increase your risk for high cholesterol.
To learn more about high cholesterol, visit the CDC website:
Cholesterol
Stroke – A stroke occurs when either a blood vessel in the brain bursts or when a blood clot cuts off the blood supply to the brain. Strokes are an emergency problem and the faster they are treated the better the outcome. Remember FAST: Face drooping or twisting, Arm weakness, Speech difficulty, Time to call 911
To learn more about strokes, visit the CDC website:
Stroke
Kidney Disease – Chronic kidney disease prevents the kidneys from filtering extra waste from your blood and can lead to kidney failure, which needs treatment like dialysis treatments or kidney transplant. Having uncontrolled high blood pressure or diabetes increases your risk of chronic kidney disease. Regular check-ups with your doctor can help you find out more about your risk for kidney disease.
To learn more about kidney disease, visit the CDC website:
Kidney Disease
Diabetes – Diabetes occurs when your body either does not make enough insulin to regulate your blood sugar (“type 1”) or does not use its natural insulin well enough to stabilize your blood sugar (“type 2”). People with elevated blood sugar levels that aren’t high enough for type 2 diabetes are considered prediabetic. Instead of being used by your body’s cells, blood sugar stays in your blood, leading to health issues like vision loss, kidney disease, heart disease, and kidney failure. Regular check-ups with your doctor can help you detect and manage diabetes.
To learn more about diabetes, visit the CDC website:
Diabetes
Pain Group:
Arthritis – Arthritis is a category of health conditions that affect your joints and connective tissues. While there is no cure for arthritis, people with this condition can manage their symptoms through exercise that’s easy on the joints (like walking), maintaining a healthy weight, physical therapy, and medicine.
To learn more about arthritis, visit the CDC website:
Arthritis
Gout – Gout is a type of arthritis that affects the joints due to high levels of uric acid, causing symptoms such as severe pain and swelling for days or weeks at a time. Gout is more common in men, people with a family history of gout, and people who have other health problems such as high blood pressure, diabetes, and poor kidney function. Regular check-ups from your doctor can help you identify and control these health problems to prevent gout.
To learn more about gout, visit the CDC website:
Gout
Rash – Skin rash is a common condition that occurs when the skin becomes red, inflamed, bumpy, itchy, dry or painful. There are many health issues that can cause a rash, including eczema, allergies, viral or bacterial infections, and chemical exposures. Prevention and treatment for a rash are different depending on the source, but a few tips apply for most rashes: avoid contact with things that irritate your skin, wash your hands or other affected areas after an exposure, and use medicine or creams prescribed by your doctor to address symptoms.
Rash