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Men’s Health Week: Everyone Has A Part

June 12, 2017

It’s men’s health week, but everyone has a part in supporting the men in our lives – husbands, sons, uncles, brothers, fathers, grandfathers and male friends – in their efforts to stay healthy for a lifetime.

Here are a few things tips, courtesy of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:

Remind Men to Get Regular Checkups

Encourage men to see a doctor or health professional for regular checkups and to learn about their family health history.

  • Men can prepare for doctor’s visits and learn which preventive tests or screenings they need. Certain diseases and conditions may not have symptoms, so checkups help identify issues early or before they can become a problem.
  • It’s important for men (and women) to understand their family health history, which is a written or graphic record of the diseases and health conditions present in your family. It is helpful to talk with family members about health history, write this information down, and update it from time to time.

Know the Signs and Symptoms of a Heart Attack

Every 43 seconds someone in the U.S. has a heart attack. Know the signs of a heart attack. If you or someone you know is having a heart attack call 911 immediately.

Major signs of a heart attack include:

  • Pain or discomfort in the jaw, neck, or back
  • Feeling weak, light-headed, or faint
  • Chest pain or discomfort
  • Pain or discomfort in arms or shoulder
  • Shortness of breath

Encourage Men to Seek Help for Depression

Depression is one of the leading causes of disease or injury worldwide for both men and women. Learn to recognize the signs and how to help the men in your life.

  • Signs of depression include persistent sadness, grumpiness, feelings of hopelessness, tiredness and decreased energy, and thoughts of suicide.
  • Those that suffer from depression or anxiety should seek help as early as possible. If you or someone you care about is in crisis, please seek help immediately.
    • Call 911
    • Visit a nearby emergency department or your health care provider’s office
    • Call the toll-free, 24-hour hotline of the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255) to talk to a trained counselor
    • The Crisis Text Hotline is also available by texting “HELP” to 741741.

Know Your Basic Health Numbers

Men (and women, too) should know their basic health numbers, including:

  • Blood pressure
  • Blood sugar
  • Cholesterol
  • Weight
  • Body Mass Index (BMI)
  • Heart Rate

Looking for a primary care physician? Hartford HealthCare Medical Group has locations around Connecticut. Click here to find one near you.