Men ’ s Health Month: Getting Back to the Basics

You know the type. The macho guy who’s rough, tough, go-it-alone, leader-of-the-pack, help-not-wanted. Macho man may put off seeing a doctor for a checkup – because he thinks he’s invincible, doesn’t get sick, it’s a waste of time, only for the weak. Physicians at the University of Maryland Medical Center say some men only give in when they have symptoms, when major treatments are required, or when preventive steps are more demanding. Even so, it’s never too late to start on the road to health. June, Men’s Health Month, is a great time to focus on preventable health problems and encourage early detection and treatment of disease among men of all ages. So, you’re out of shape? Heart disease kills 1 in every 4 men in the US. One clue to heart health is endurance. Can you walk up two flights of stairs or four city blocks without stopping (barring traffic lights, etc.), or has there been a change in your activity level over the past 6-12 months? A man may shrug off the changes and blame them on being “out of shape,” but these changes could signal changes in heart health, says Michael Miller, MD, professor of cardiovascular medicine, epidemiology and public health at the University of Maryland School of Medicine and director, Center for Preventive Cardiology at the University of Maryland Medical Center. Dr. Miller: “If the answer to both questions is ‘no’ (presuming they have no other limitations such as joint disability, emphysema, etc.), then their hea...
Source: Life in a Medical Center - Category: Universities & Medical Training Authors: Tags: Health Tips Heart/Cardiac Care heart health mens health Source Type: blogs