Heart Disease in Men

Adult Health Bulletin

Cardiovascular disease, or heart disease, is a term used to describe a wide variety of heart conditions, the most common being coronary heart disease. Coronary heart disease can cause a heart attack. Other heart diseases affect the valves in the heart or the ability of the heart to pump blood effectively. Men and women alike are at risk for heart disease, and in fact, it is the leading cause of death for both Kentucky men and women.

Heart Disease Facts About Men

• The leading cause of death for men in the United States is heart disease. It is the cause for almost one out of four male deaths.
• Half of men who die from heart disease did not have any previous symptoms.
• Of all sudden cardiac events, 70 to 89 percent occur in men.

Key Risk Factors for Heart Disease

• High blood pressure (also known as hypertension)
• High LDL cholesterol
• Smoking

Other risk factors include:

• Diabetes
• Obesity
• Poor diet
• Inactivity
• Excessive alcohol

According to the American Heart Association:

• Among men age 20 and older, 33.4 percent of white males and 42.6 perfect of African American males have high blood pressure.
• 41.3 percent of U.S. males over the age of 20 have a total cholesterol level over 200mg/dL.
• 21.3 percent of males smoke cigarettes.
• Approximately 72.9 percent of men age 20 and older are overweight or obese.
• Of approximately 19.7 million Americans with diabetes, about 9.6 million are men (almost 49 percent).

Having a healthy heart is very important. How well are you taking care of yours?

Written by Nicole Peritore, Kentucky Extension Specialist for Family Health. Edited by Connee Wheeler, Senior Extension Specialist, and Lauren State, Oldham County Extension Staff Assistant. Reference material from the American Heart Association.