At every stage of life, a man is at far higher risk for getting sick and dying than a woman.
The average life expectancy of a man is 75 years which is more than five years shorter than that of a woman. On average, men at any age are 40% more likely to die than women. And when diseases, such as diabetes, heart disease or hypertension are diagnosed in men, they tend to be at a far later stage in the disease process, after extensive damage has already been done.
One survey found that three times as many men as women hadn't seen a doctor in the past year. And one out of four men says he "waits as long as possible" before seeking help for a health problem, according to Harvard Men's Health Watch.
Men on their own can take a few simple steps to boost their health. Doctors say that by focusing on a few key areas--blood pressure, cholesterol, waist size and sexual function--a man can make dramatic improvements in his overall health. One recent study in the medical journal JAMA found that preventing weight gain and alcohol abuse in midlife were two major factors in determining whether a man lived and stayed healthy until the age of 85.
Doctors say men have the most power to improve the state of their health with just a few simple steps. First, be aware of your blood pressure and cholesterol numbers, and take active steps to lower both if they reach an unhealthy range. Next, men need to be aware of their waist circumference. Abdominal fat has long been a risk factor for heart disease.
Source: The Wall Street Journal, April 24, 2007
The Appointment is a brief video illustrating the importance of doctor-patient communication.