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

Test your knowledge: Take this quiz on men’s health.

It’s not too late.
Here’s the good news: It’s never too late to start taking better care of your health.

• Make eating healthy and being active a part of your daily routine.
• Get screening tests on schedule.
• Look out for signs of health problems like diabetes or depression.
• Quit smoking.

A healthy diet and daily physical activity can help lower your:

• Blood pressure
• Blood sugar
• Cholesterol
• Weight

Keeping these numbers down can help protect you from diabetes and heart disease.

Do everything you can to protect your health.

Talk about it.
Don’t be embarrassed to talk about your health. Remember:

• All men have a prostate. As you get older, you are more likely to have prostate problems. Learn more about prostate health.
• All men over 50 years old need to get tested for colorectal cancer. Don’t put it off.
• 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 depression. Most men with depression feel better when they get treatment.

Check out these Quick Tips for Talking to Your Doctor.

Make small changes every day.
Make small changes every day and see big results.

• Take a walk instead of having a cigarette or taking a coffee break.
• Try a green salad instead of fries.
• Drink water instead of soda or juice.
• Skip the salt.

Find more small steps to keep you healthy.

Get screening tests to find diseases early.

• Get your blood pressure checked at least every 2 years.
• Talk to a doctor about when and how often to get your cholesterol checked. Doctors recommend that most men check their cholesterol at least once every 5 years.
• Get tested for colorectal cancer if you are over 50. Ask a doctor what type of screening test is right for you.
• Talk with your doctor about abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) if you are age 65 to 75 and have ever smoked.

Ask your doctor about taking aspirin every day.
If you are over 45, taking aspirin every day could lower your risk of heart attack and stroke.

Learn more about how you can eat healthy, get active, and quit smoking.

What do you want to do today?

Put fruit and other healthy snacks on your grocery list.

Find out what kind and how much physical activity you need.

Print out these screening guidelines for men.

Take the stairs instead of the elevator.

Watch one of these short videos, like Real Men Wear Gowns.