Beyond Checkups: Why Men’s Heart Health Needs More Than an Annual Visit

According to the American Heart Association, every minute, three men in the U.S. suffer a heart attack—many without any previous warning.

While heart attacks may seem sudden, most are the result of heart disease that builds up silently for years, often without symptoms.

In this article, we look beyond the annual checkup to uncover early warning signs of heart disease — and what men should really be paying attention to when it comes to their heart health.

Why Heart Disease in Men Deserves More Attention

Heart disease remains the leading cause of death for men in the United States (CDC). Yet awareness and prevention seem to fall behind. Many men skip checkups, assume they’re “too young” or “feel fine,” and miss the slow buildup of risk.

According to the American Heart Association, men are more likely to delay seeking care, underestimate the seriousness of symptoms, and skip preventive screenings. That’s why it’s critical to understand the risk factors that often go unnoticed, including:

• Stress and anxiety: Men prone to chronic stress or anxiety face higher risks of heart disease, stroke, and diabetes.
• Abdominal fat: Extra weight around the waist is more strongly linked to heart disease than overall weight.
• Poor sleep: Sleep apnea and disrupted sleep raise blood pressure, trigger rhythm problems, and increase overall heart risk.
• Smoking and tobacco use: Still a significant contributor to heart disease, even in younger men.
• Family history: A history of early heart disease in male relatives increases personal risk, especially if left unmonitored.

(American Heart Association)

The Role of Screenings — and Why Timing Matters

Screenings are the first line of defense against heart disease. They help detect early signs that something may be wrong with your heart, often long before symptoms appear.

These quick, routine assessments measure key markers of cardiovascular and metabolic health—like blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar and heart rhythm.

But many men don’t know which screenings matter most, or when to start. And when life gets busy, it’s easy to put off the next annual checkup.

Key heart screenings for men typically include:

• Blood pressure checks: starting at age 18
• Cholesterol screenings: starting in the 20s, with frequency based on personal risk
• Blood glucose (diabetes risk): typically starting around age 35
• EKG or stress tests: as advised, particularly if symptoms, family history, or other risks are present

According to the American Heart Association, routine health checkups combined with proactive management of cardiometabolic risk factors — such as controlling high blood pressure and maintaining a healthy weight — can help lower the likelihood of developing cardiometabolic disease.

Symptoms Men Should Never Ignore

Many men mistakenly attribute early heart symptoms to stress, aging, or being out of shape. But certain signs may indicate serious heart problems and require immediate medical attention:

• Chest pain or tightness: Especially if it feels like pressure, squeezing, or burning. This is the most common sign of a heart attack.
• Shortness of breath: Particularly during physical activity or when lying down. It may signal heart failure or a blocked artery.
• Dizziness or fainting: Could be a sign of arrhythmia or an issue with blood flow to the brain.
• Unexplained fatigue or weakness: If normal tasks suddenly feel exhausting, your heart may not be pumping efficiently.
• Palpitations or irregular heartbeat: Skipping beats or racing heart can indicate electrical problems in the heart.

(American Heart Association)

If you experience any of these symptoms, talk to your doctor. Recognizing early signs of a heart disease can make a life-saving difference in the long term.

How Remote Monitoring Can Support Heart Care

Routine screenings are important, but they capture just a moment in time. A single blood pressure reading or cholesterol test can’t show how your heart responds day to day — or alert you when things start to change.

That’s where remote patient monitoring comes in. Through continuous heart monitoring, you and your care team can track how your heart responds to treatment and possibly even catch early warning signs—before complications arise.

Devices and platforms can monitor:

• Blood pressure trends: Detecting hidden hypertension or fluctuations missed in clinic readings.
• Heart rate and rhythm: Helping flag early signs of arrhythmia or heart strain.
• Weight changes: Sudden gains may indicate fluid retention tied to heart failure risk
• Activity and sleep patterns: Poor recovery, disrupted sleep, or reduced movement can reveal emerging heart stress.

In fact, a recent study in Journal of the American College of Cardiology found that nearly 70% of cardiologists believe remote monitoring improves their ability to manage cardiovascular risk between visits. Another report showed that remote patient monitoring can reduce hospitalizations for heart failure patients by up to 38%.

Start Taking Care of Your Heart Health

Don’t wait for symptoms to worsen. Talk to your doctor and consider how remote monitoring tools can help you take control of your heart health between visits.

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Disclosure

*This content is for informational purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice. Always consult your healthcare team for guidance specific to your condition.*

References

1. American Heart Association, “Heart disease and men,” 2022, https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/consumer-healthcare/men-and-heart-disease

2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “Heart disease facts,” 2022, https://www.cdc.gov/heartdisease/facts.htm

3. Harvard Health Publishing, “Abdominal fat and what to do about it,” 2020, https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/abdominal-fat-and-what-to-do-about-it

4. National Institutes of Health, “Sleep apnea and heart disease,” 2019, https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/sleep-apnea

5. American Heart Association, “Know your risk for heart disease,” 2023, https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/consumer-healthcare/know-your-risk-for-heart-disease

6. Journal of the American College of Cardiology, “Impact of remote patient monitoring on cardiovascular outcomes,” 2021, https://www.jacc.org

7. American Heart Association News, “Remote patient monitoring reduces hospitalizations in heart failure patients,” 2022, https://www.heart.org/en/news

8. American Heart Association, “How does your mental health affect your heart?” July 6, 2021, https://www.heart.org/en/news/2021/07/06/how-does-your-mental-health-affect-your-heart

9. American Heart Association, “Too much belly fat linked to higher risk of heart disease, even with healthy BMI,” Sept. 2, 2021, https://www.heart.org/en/news/2021/09/02/too-much-belly-fat-linked-to-higher-risk-of-heart-disease-even-with-healthy-bmi

10. American Heart Association, “Sleep apnea and heart health,” 2022, https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/sleep-disorders/sleep-apnea-and-heart-health