Men: Take Charge of Your Health

Most men need to pay more attention to their health. Compared to women, men are more likely to:

• Smoke and drink
• Make unhealthy or risky choices
• Put off regular checkups and medical care

Do you know what it takes to stay healthy? Take this men’s health quiz to find out.

It’s not too late.
The good news is that you can start taking better care of your health today. Make eating healthy and being active a part of your daily routine. A healthy diet and regular physical activity can help lower your:

• Blood pressure
• Blood sugar
• Cholesterol (“koh-LEHS-tuh-rahl”)
• Weight

By keeping these numbers down, you can lower your risk of serious health problems like diabetes and heart disease.

Here are some other important steps for taking care of your health:

• Get screening tests that are right for you.
• Look out for signs of health problems like diabetes or depression.
• Drink alcohol only in moderation.
• Quit smoking.

Follow these tips to take charge of your health.

Talk about it.
Don’t be embarrassed to talk about your health. Start by talking to family members to find out which diseases run in your family. Use this family health history tool to keep track of what you learn. Share this information with your doctor.

Make small changes every day.
Small changes can add up to big results, like lowering your risk of diabetes or heart disease.

• Take a walk instead of having a cigarette.
• Try a green salad instead of fries.
• Drink water instead of soda or juice.
• Limit the amount of salt you eat.

Find more quick tips to keep you healthy.

Get screening tests to find diseases early.
Screenings are medical tests that check for diseases. Screenings can help doctors find diseases early, when the diseases may be easier to treat.

• Get your blood pressure checked at least once every 2 years.
• Talk to your doctor about getting your cholesterol checked. Doctors recommend that most men get their cholesterol checked at least once every 5 years.
• Get tested for colorectal cancer if you are age 50 or older. Ask your doctor what type of screening test is right for you.
• If you age 65 to 75 and have ever smoked, talk with your doctor about abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA).
• Most men feel stressed, anxious, or depressed from time to time. If these feelings last for more than 2 weeks, talk to a doctor about screening for depression. Most men with depression feel better when they get treatment.

Talk to your doctor if you have questions about your prostate.
All men have a prostate. The male prostate is a small sex gland that makes fluid to carry sperm. It’s located below the bladder and in front of the rectum. 

• Get information about prostate cancer.
• Check out this list of questions to ask your doctor about prostate cancer screening.

Ask your doctor about taking aspirin every day.
If you are age 45 or older, taking aspirin every day could lower your risk of heart attack. Talk with your doctor about whether daily aspirin is right for you.

What about cost?
Many insurance plans, including Medicaid and Medicare, will cover the cost of recommended preventive services like screening tests and shots.

Also, many preventative services are covered under the Affordable Care Act, the health care reform law passed in 2010. Depending on your insurance plan, you may be able to get screenings and shots at no cost to you.

Check with your insurance provider to find out what’s included in your plan.

• Find out which services are covered by the Affordable Care Act.
• Find out which services are covered under Medicare.
• Find out which services are covered under Medicaid.

You can still get health care even if you don’t have insurance. Find a health center near you and make an appointment.

Learn more about how you can get enough sleep and manage stress.

Start Today: Small Steps

• Try these easy ways to improve your health in 5 minutes a day or less.
• Take the stairs instead of the elevator.
• Use this healthy weight calculator for men to find the right weight for you.