Summer 2025 5 Heart disease remains a leading cause of death for both men and women, but certain risk factors tend to affect men more significantly. Age. Men typically develop heart disease about 10 years earlier than women, with the risk rising significantly at age 45. One reason? Higher estrogen levels before menopause help protect women’s hearts, an advantage men lack, notes Cardiologist Deepak Asti, MD. High cholesterol. Elevated cholesterol levels often develop earlier in men than in women, which may lead to earlier cardiovascular problems. Visceral fat (belly fat). Men are prone to storing body fat around their waist, which is linked to heart disease. Risky habits. Men are more likely to smoke and drink alcohol excessively. “And they’re generally less likely to see a doctor regularly for preventive care,” Dr. Asti says. Routine checkups can help men and their doctors prevent or control major heart disease contributors, like high cholesterol, diabetes and high blood pressure. Erectile dysfunction (ED). ED can be caused by narrowed blood vessels. When it develops, there’s a chance arteries in other places, like the heart, might be narrowed, too. Talk to your doctor about your personal heart disease risk and what you can do to lower it. Should you have a coronary calcium scan? Another way to better understand your heart disease risk is with coronary calcium scoring. That’s a quick computed tomography (CT) scan that measures the amount of calcium buildup in your heart’s arteries. The result—your “calcium score.” Your calcium score can help your doctor assess your risk for future heart problems so you can take steps to prevent them. The test is quick, noninvasive and relatively inexpensive. “It gives you useful information that could save your life in the future,” says Cardiologist Nikhil Nalluri, MD. “It’s a preventive thing. I would advise it for anyone above age 40 with risk factors like high cholesterol or a family history of heart disease.” Explore expert heart care in Mansfield Visit TexasHealthMansfield.org/Heart. HEART HEALTH Men face some notable risks
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