June is Men’s Health Month
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June is Men’s Health Month—a perfect time to take control of your health for yourself and the people who count on you. All month long, Capital Cardiology Associates will be sharing expert insights across our blog, social media, and newsletter to help the men in your life live stronger, healthier lives.
Stronger at Every Stage: Why Men’s Health Deserves More Than a Month
June marks Men’s Health Month, a national observance dedicated to raising awareness about the unique health challenges men face and encouraging proactive care across all stages of life. For too many men, routine check-ups, preventive screenings, and open conversations about mental or physical well-being are often sidelined until symptoms become unavoidable. At Capital Cardiology Associates, we believe health isn’t something to fix when broken—it’s something to build, maintain, and protect over time.
The Men’s Health Gap
Men in the United States die five years earlier on average than women—and they’re more likely to die from preventable causes. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), heart disease remains the leading cause of death for men, followed closely by cancer and unintentional injuries.¹ The problem isn’t just biology. It’s behavioral.
Studies show that men are less likely than women to seek preventive care, schedule annual physicals, or report early symptoms of illness.² For example, prostate cancer—the second most common cancer in men—has an excellent survival rate when caught early, yet many men delay screenings due to fear, stigma, or misinformation.³ Similarly, untreated hypertension, high cholesterol, and type 2 diabetes are all more common among men who skip routine care.
Men’s Health Month isn’t just about treating disease—it’s about changing this pattern of avoidance and empowering men to take charge of their health.
The Decades of Men’s Health
Men’s health concerns evolve with age, and knowing what to look out for in each decade can make a major difference.
In Your 20s and 30s: Establish the Foundation
These are the years when health habits are often formed—and unfortunately, when they’re most likely to be neglected. Annual physicals should include blood pressure checks, cholesterol screening (if risk factors are present), STI testing, and a mental health check-in.⁴
Physical activity, diet, and sleep routines built in early adulthood pay off later. Young men should aim for 150 minutes of moderate aerobic activity each week and strength training at least twice per week.⁵
This is also the time to address mental health. Depression and anxiety can first appear in young adulthood, especially under financial or work stress. Suicide is the second leading cause of death among men ages 25–34, making open mental health conversations essential.⁶
In Your 40s and 50s: Screen, Prevent, and Adjust
As metabolism slows and stress accumulates, men in midlife often experience weight gain, blood pressure spikes, and rising cholesterol levels. These years are crucial for monitoring cardiovascular risk.
This is also the decade to begin routine prostate cancer screenings. While exact timing depends on family history and individual risk, most men should start discussing PSA testing with their provider around age 50—or earlier for African American men or those with a family history.⁷
Colorectal cancer screening also becomes essential beginning at age 45.⁸ Advances in stool-based testing and less invasive screening options have made early detection easier than ever.
Finally, testosterone levels naturally decline in midlife, sometimes leading to fatigue, mood changes, or reduced libido. While not all symptoms indicate “low T,” it’s worth having your hormone levels assessed if these symptoms persist.
In Your 60s and Beyond: Maintain and Monitor
As men age, chronic disease management becomes central to wellness. Heart disease, arthritis, osteoporosis, and cognitive decline become more common. Vaccinations such as the shingles vaccine and updated pneumonia immunizations become important at this stage.⁹
Bone density scans are often overlooked in men, despite data showing that one in four men over 50 will break a bone due to osteoporosis.¹⁰ Additionally, age-related muscle loss (sarcopenia) can be slowed or reversed with resistance training and adequate protein intake.
Staying active, staying connected, and continuing regular wellness visits are essential for maintaining independence and quality of life.
Mental Health: The Silent Struggle
Men’s mental health often suffers in silence. Cultural norms, stigma, and masculine expectations discourage many men from speaking up about depression, anxiety, trauma, or stress. But ignoring these symptoms doesn’t make them disappear—it makes them worse.
In fact, more than 6 million men in the U.S. experience depression each year, and men die by suicide at rates nearly four times higher than women.¹¹ Veterans and older men are especially at risk.
Mental health is physical health. At Capital Cardiology, we encourage integrated care, where discussions of stress, burnout, and emotional health are part of every check-up. Whether through primary care, cardiology support, or referral to behavioral health specialists, help is available—and healing is possible.
Heart Health: The Core of Longevity
Nearly one in every four male deaths in the U.S. is due to heart disease, a condition that can often be prevented or controlled with lifestyle changes and early intervention.¹²
Key preventive steps include:
Regular blood pressure and cholesterol screening
Smoking cessation support
Managing blood sugar levels
Heart-healthy eating (think Mediterranean diet)
Daily physical activity
For men with a family history of heart disease or existing cardiac symptoms, specialized testing may be recommended. These can include stress tests, calcium scoring CT scans, or echocardiograms, many of which are available in-office through Capital Cardiology’s diagnostic services.
Take Action This Month
Men’s Health Month is more than a calendar event—it’s a reminder that strength isn’t found in silence. It’s found in showing up, speaking up, and taking care of yourself and the people you love.
Use this June as a personal health checkpoint:
Schedule your annual physical
Book your first colonoscopy (if you’re 45+)
Talk to your doctor about prostate health
Discuss family medical history
Ask about lifestyle changes to lower your cardiac risk
And most importantly—talk to each other. Open, honest conversation about health is one of the most powerful things we can model for our sons, brothers, partners, and friends.
At Capital Cardiology Associates, we’re here to help you live stronger, longer, and better—at every stage of life.
Sources
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “Leading Causes of Death – Males – United States, 2021.” https://www.cdc.gov/men/lcod/2021/index.htm
Cleveland Clinic. “MENtion It Survey: Why Don’t Men Go to the Doctor?” 2019.
American Cancer Society. “Prostate Cancer Early Detection.” https://www.cancer.org
Mayo Clinic. “Men's Health: Prevent the Top Threats.” 2023.
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. “Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans.” 2nd edition.
National Institute of Mental Health. “Suicide.” https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/statistics/suicide
American Urological Association. “Early Detection of Prostate Cancer: AUA Guideline.” 2023.
U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. “Colorectal Cancer: Screening.” 2021.
CDC. “Recommended Vaccines for Adults by Age.”
National Osteoporosis Foundation. “Men and Osteoporosis.”
Mental Health America. “Men and Mental Health.”
CDC. “Heart Disease Facts.” https://www.cdc.gov/heartdisease/facts.htm
Disclaimer: The information provided in this content is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your physician or a qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or health concern.
