He works out. He watches what he eats. He feels fine.
Then one day, he has a heart attack.
It’s a situation that surprises a lot of people, but heart disease doesn’t always look the way we expect. In fact, many men who have heart attacks considered themselves healthy beforehand. The reason? Heart disease can develop quietly for years before causing symptoms. Plaque can build up in the arteries without causing pain or warning signs until blood flow to the heart is suddenly blocked.
Heart disease remains the leading cause of death for men in the United States. The average age for a man's first heart attack is about 65, but doctors are seeing more heart attacks in younger adults than in the past. In fact, heart attacks among people under 40 have increased in recent years, reminding us that heart disease isn't just an older person's problem.
Even if you exercise regularly and maintain a healthy weight, other risk factors can still be at work, including:
- Family history of heart disease
- High cholesterol or high blood pressure
- Diabetes or prediabetes
- Chronic stress
- Poor sleep or sleep apnea
- Smoking or tobacco use
Being physically fit is important, but it doesn’t cancel out every risk factor. You can look healthy on the outside and still have underlying heart disease. The good news is that many heart attacks are preventable. Knowing your numbers and seeing your doctor regularly can help identify problems before they become emergencies.
A few simple steps can make a big difference:
- Get your blood pressure checked regularly
- Know your cholesterol levels
- Stay active
- Prioritize sleep
- Manage stress
- Learn your family history
When it comes to heart health, feeling healthy isn't always the same as being healthy. The best way to protect your heart is to stay proactive, even when everything seems fine.