Heart doctor reveals the ‘biggest health mistakes' men make
A cardiovascular surgeon has shared the ‘biggest mistakes’ men make when it comes to their health.
Doctor Jeremy London has decades of experience and regularly shares advice on how to live a healthier life.
In the past, he’s spoken out about a drink comparable to 'liquid death', issued a warning over four beloved foods that are scientifically proven lifespan-shrinkers, and shared the benefits of ditching the booze.
In his latest video, Dr. London has revealed the biggest health mistakes men make and how to avoid them.
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He started by saying that the core foundations for both men and women are:
- Whole-food nutrition
- Regular movement and exercise
- Sleep and recovery
- Meaningful social connections
And said that these basics can have the biggest impact on your overall wellbeing.
However, he then went on to talk about a ‘second layer’ of sex specific problems that can impact men and the dangers of ignoring them.
Dr. London explained that men typically develop cardiovascular disease seven to 10 years earlier than women.
So, men need to look out for cardiovascular risk factors in their 30s and 40s rather than waiting until later life.
He recommends men monitor their LDL cholesterol, ApoB levels, and Lipoprotein, if they want to stay healthy.
Don't miss early warning signs
The doctor then explained erectile dysfunction is often a vascular problem rather than simply a ‘bedroom problem’.
He said that erectile dysfunction can precede heart disease symptoms by two to five years, meaning it should be treated as a possible warning sign for future cardiovascular problems.
Men should also keep an eye on their testosterone levels, according to Dr. London.
"There's a lot of variability in the absolute numbers of what constitutes low testosterone, but the the probably the most common number is around 300," he said.
He said that low testosterone is linked to several factors including poor sleep, stress, and lack of exercise.
However, he warned against the sort of heavily marketed testosterone supplements you can buy online and suggested that lifestyle changes should be the first step before considering hormone therapy.
Don't skip your routine health screenings
Another major mistake men make when it comes to their health is failing to attend routine screenings.
“It's a grim reality that men are not really reliable when it comes to keeping these appointments,” he said.
Dr. London added that which screenings you need will be personal and based on your risk factors, such as your family history or age.
But highlighted the likes of routine prostate exams, colon cancer screening, bone density scans, and testing for abdominal aortic aneurysms.
Look out for 'silent killers'
Dr. London also warned about sleep apnoea, noting that it’s a major but often overlooked health issue.
Symptoms to look out for include loud snoring, poor sleep quality, pauses in breath during sleep, and being exhausted during the day.
He warned that while it can wreck your sleep, if left untreated sleep apnoea also increases the risk of high blood pressure, heart rhythm disorders and cardiovascular disease.
Finally, he highlighted men’s mental health and suicide risk.
Dr. London said that men are around three times more likely to die by suicide than women, particularly after age 65.
He revealed that signs of depression to look out for include anger, irritability, becoming more withdrawn, an excessive focus on work, and increased alcohol use.
He also warned that loneliness and social isolation can negatively affect both mental and physical health.
Dr. London wrapped up the clip by urging men to take symptoms seriously, attend screenings and prioritise their wellbeing.
Topics: Health
Claire Reid