Patient Focus | June is Men’s Health Month. Statistics show that men tend to die at higher rates than women, with heart disease the leading cause of death for one in every four men. Given most risk factors for heart disease and stroke—specifically high blood pressure, high cholesterol, smoking, and obesity—are preventable, there are clear opportunities for reversing this trend. For example, men’s health can be managed through the ABCS (appropriate Aspirin therapy, Blood pressure control, Cholesterol management and Smoking cessation). Encouraging men, along with their family members and other care providers, to follow through on annual examinations and preventive services is also key. Men are 100% less likely than women to visit the doctor for annual examinations and preventive services, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Health care systems and providers can help men manage their heart health through use of electronic health records and data registries like the ACC’s PINNACLE Registry to identify, support  and track progress of patients who need help quitting smoking or who have high blood pressure, diabetes or high cholesterol. Referring patients to community resources, such as quitting smoking and blood pressure self-management programs, or online sources like CardioSmart.org, can also play a huge role.

Keywords: CardioSource WorldNews, ACC Publications, Men's Health, Self Care

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