Men in North at risk from heart disease

More than 1,500 men die from heart disease in the North each year, the British Medical Association warned today.

The high death rate should alert males to the fact that ignoring health warnings could have fatal consequences, the BMA added.

Challenging men to take charge on their health, the association also highlighted the increasing rates of testicular and prostate cancer – up 46% and 58% respectively in the last decade.

Young men aged 18-35 are more than four times as likely to die earlier than young women, it added.

The statistics were outlined to promote Men’s Health Week, which starts today.

Dr Ian Banks, BMA spokesman on men’s health issues and president of the European Men’s Health Forum, said: “Men must get in touch with their doctor as soon as possible if they have any concerns about their health. This one decision could save their lives.

“It is a real concern to doctors that men delay going to their GP when they feel ill. This leads to the late diagnosis of serious medical conditions.

“Getting treatment at an earlier stage could result in an improved long term outcome for certain diseases such as diabetes or testicular cancer.”

Noel Richardson, chairman of the Men’s Health Forum in Ireland, said there was a need to challenge male preconceptions about seeking help.

“Being sick or going to the doctor should not be seen as a personal weakness or ’unmanly’,” he said.

“The consequences of not getting treatment at an early stage could be critical. Men need to challenge themselves to take charge of their health and visit their GP now instead of leaving things until it’s perhaps too late.”

The challenges laid down by the BMA to men include:

:: Visit your GP now – get health worries checked instead of leaving it.

:: Drink less alcohol – alcohol-related deaths are increasing.

:: Eat more fruit and vegetables – reduce the risk of heart disease and cancer.

:: Walk or cycle instead of taking the car – an easy way to take more exercise.

:: Get your blood pressure checked – to reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke.

:: Quit smoking – reduce your risk of lung disease.