Heart disease is one of the leading causes of death worldwide, accounting for over a quarter of all deaths in the UK. While it affects both men and women, research shows that men are more prone to developing heart disease.
In the UK, one in seven men die from heart disease, compared to one in 11 women – and they’re more likely to develop heart issues at a younger age, too. But why?
Research suggests that everything from hormones and lifestyle habits to differences in how men and women store fat could be at play. Luckily, experts have identified several things you can do to help take control of your heart health and reduce your risk.
We’ll explore all of this and more below.
Why do men have a higher risk of heart disease?
There are several reasons why men have a higher risk of heart disease. We’ll explore some of these below.
Lower oestrogen and declining testosterone levels
Hormones like oestrogen, progesterone, and testosterone play a significant role in heart health. Oestrogen is involved in controlling heart rate and keeping blood vessel cells healthy; progesterone helps relax and widen blood vessels; and testosterone plays a role in widening blood vessels and reducing inflammation.
Women naturally have higher levels of oestrogen and progesterone than men, because they’re essential for female reproductive health. That’s why when women enter menopause (during which oestrogen and progesterone levels decline), their heart disease risk increases.
Meanwhile, men naturally lose around 1% of their testosterone (the primary male sex hormone) every year starting around age 30-40 – a process sped up by factors like high blood pressure and alcohol abuse. Low testosterone levels (hypogonadism) in men are linked with negative effects on heart structure, metabolic function, and artery health.
Men are more likely to carry weight around their midsection
Being overweight or obese is a key risk factor for heart disease because it can lead to atherosclerosis (when fatty material builds in the arteries), as well as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and type 2 diabetes.
There are different types of fat in the body, and while many people worry about the fat that sits directly under the skin, known as subcutaneous fat, experts say the bigger health risk comes from visceral fat, which surrounds internal organs. In this study, for example, higher levels of visceral fat were linked to faster heart ageing, increased inflammation, and a higher risk of heart-rhythm problems.
According to research, carrying excess weight around the midsection is a common sign of visceral fat, which men are more at risk of. This study linked male-type fat accumulation around the belly with early heart ageing, while female-type fat accumulation around the hips and thighs was linked with slower heart ageing.
According to experts, unlike subcutaneous fat, visceral fat can affect heart health regardless of total BMI. It’s possible to have large amounts of visceral fat despite being a healthy weight, which is why focusing on overall health is essential.
On average, men are more likely to smoke and overconsume alcohol
Habits like smoking and drinking alcohol can significantly increase the risk of heart disease by raising blood pressure, damaging blood vessel walls, and contributing to plaque in the arteries. Research shows that men are more likely to engage in both.
One-third of men smoke globally compared to fewer than one in 10 women. Experts associate this with historical cultural norms that link smoking to masculinity, as well as male targeting by tobacco marketing and less societal acceptance of women smoking.
Studies also show that, on average, men are likely to binge drink more frequently and develop alcohol dependency than women, though the gap is less significant.
Men are less likely to seek help for mental health struggles
While strides have been taken when it comes to men’s mental health, statistics show there’s still work that needs to be done.
According to research, three out of four people who take their own lives are men. Men also have higher rates of alcohol and substance abuse than women, and two in five men say they regularly feel worried or low.
We also know that men are less likely to seek help for mental health, accounting for only 36% of referrals to NHS psychological therapies. In this study of men with depression, for example, only 8.5% were receiving mental health support.
Beyond its impact on overall health, research has also identified a link between mental state and heart health. Studies have linked anxiety and depression with a higher risk of stroke, heart attacks, abnormal heart rhythms, and high blood pressure.
This may be tied to its impact on energy, motivation, and decision-making, which can make it difficult to stay on top of everyday tasks and create healthy habits. In this study, for example, smoking, poor diet, and sedentary lifestyles were more common in people with poor mental health.
Men are more likely to develop high blood pressure and cholesterol
Research shows that men are more likely to have high blood pressure (34% compared to 22% of women), and typically have higher LDL (bad) cholesterol and lower HDL (good) cholesterol than women.
High blood pressure and high cholesterol are leading risk factors for heart disease. According to the BHF, high blood pressure is linked with around 50% of strokes and heart attacks, and high cholesterol is linked with one in five heart disease deaths.
Loneliness affects more men than women
As well as having a higher risk of mental health conditions, research shows that more men experience loneliness than women, which can contribute to the development of heart disease.
Research suggests that men tend to have fewer close friends than women later in life, often driven by a tendency to rely on partners for emotional support and activity-based social networks that fade.
According to Age UK, men report struggling to make connections due to a lack of activities that interest them, clubs and activities being dominated by women, and feeling a need to be independent and self-reliant. Many also say they struggle to talk about loneliness due to negative perceptions around it.
We’re social creatures by design, so it’s unsurprising that staying connected is an important part of staying healthy, the heart included. In this study, loneliness and social isolation were identified as significant risk factors for heart issues, including a 29% higher risk of heart disease and a 32% higher risk of stroke.
Men may be less likely to attend health checks
Research suggests men may be up to 50% less likely to consult a doctor than women over health concerns, including a 32% lower likelihood of visiting a GP.
One of the main tools used to prevent, detect, and manage heart disease is the NHS Health Check. But statistics show women are more likely to attend the health check than men (44% compared to 38%).
According to experts, this reluctance, often driven by traditional ideas of strength and stoicism, can result in late diagnoses of conditions like cancer and heart disease.
Men may be less diet-conscious
While sedentary lifestyles have become more common across the board, there’s evidence that women may be more health-conscious than men, particularly when it comes to diet choices.
Studies show that women tend to prefer diets high in fibre and vegetables, while men are more likely to eat diets high in red meat, saturated fats, and processed foods.
7 ways to lower your risk of heart disease
While men may be more at risk of developing heart disease, the good news is that there are several things you can do to help reduce your risk. We’ll cover some of these below.
For a more in-depth guide, you might like to read our article: 11 healthy heart tips.
1. Know your numbers
Having regular health checks, including cholesterol and blood pressure testing, is important for monitoring your heart health.
This can be particularly important when it comes to conditions like heart disease, where many warning signs are silent and can go easily undetected.
To learn more, check out our article: 11 important health checks for over 50s.
Note: It’s important to get tested for inherited heart conditions if they run in your family.
2. Quit smoking and reduce your alcohol intake
Quitting smoking and reducing your alcohol intake can reduce heart disease risk. Experts estimate that at least 15,000 CVD-related preventable deaths could be prevented each year in the UK if people quit smoking.
Luckily, research suggests that in both cases, the body begins to repair itself almost immediately after you stop. In this study, for example, going just four weeks without a drink was enough to start lowering blood pressure and heart rate.
Check out our articles, 7 tips for quitting smoking and 10 tips to stay alcohol-free, to learn more.
3. Take steps to boost testosterone levels
As well as affecting things like motivation and sex drive, low testosterone can impact heart health. It’s worth speaking to your GP if you suspect your levels are low.
Lifestyle changes and treatment options are available to help, and can make all the difference. For example, studies have linked testosterone replacement therapy with a reduced risk of heart attack in men with heart disease.
Check out our article, 9 ways to boost testosterone levels in men, to learn more.
4. Make some simple diet swaps
Diet is central to heart health, but sometimes the amount of dietary advice out there can make it difficult to know what we should be eating.
If you’re not sure where to start, simple lifestyle changes like lowering your intake of salt and ultra-processed foods and focusing on whole foods are great steps to take.
There are also several food groups that research suggests are particularly beneficial for heart health, including dark green leafy vegetables and fatty fish like salmon. You can find out more about these in our article: 10 delicious foods that can boost heart health.
5. Take steps to foster new connections
Taking steps to tackle loneliness and foster new connections can be fantastic for your heart health. Research led by the BHF found that 71% were more likely to reverse frailty and susceptibility to health conditions when they increased their social activities, compared to those who didn’t.
If you’ve been feeling isolated recently, it’s important to remember that you’re not alone. You might also like to read our articles: Men’s friendships – why they’re important and how to maintain them in later life and 8 ways to help tackle feelings of loneliness.
6. Stay active
As well as making healthy diet choices, staying active is key for losing excess body weight – including visceral fat. It’s also important for supporting healthy blood pressure and cholesterol levels.
The NHS recommends exercising for at least 150 minutes per week to support heart health.
If you’re yet to find a form of exercise you enjoy, head over to our fitness and exercise section for inspiration.
7. Seek help if you’re struggling
If you’re struggling with your mental health, it’s important to seek help and remember that you’re not alone.
You might like to spend time with trusted friends or family members, or consider joining a support group where you can connect with others who share similar experiences.
Some people also find it useful to seek professional therapy or counselling, such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), which can help you process difficult emotions and rebuild self-esteem. The healthy mind section of our website has more information on this.
Final thoughts…
Research highlights several reasons why men are generally more at risk of heart disease. Luckily, there are things we can all do to improve our heart health.
For further reading, head over to our men’s health section.
What steps have you taken to improve your heart health? Do you have any other tips that you’d like to share? We’d be interested to hear from you in the comments below.
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