June 11 2026
Commonly Asked Questions | Men's heart health
Heart disease remains one of the leading causes of illness and death among Australian men, yet many of the risk factors develop silently over decades before symptoms appear.
For Men's Health Week, Dr Simon Binny, Visiting Medical Officer (VMO) in Cardiology at Calvary Lenah Valley Hospital, answers some of the most common questions about heart health, cardiovascular risk and prevention.
He explains why men are more vulnerable to heart disease earlier in life, the importance of knowing your numbers, and the practical steps people can take to protect their heart health for the long term.
Q. Why is heart health particularly important for men?
From a cardiac point of view, one of the main differences between men and women is that men don't have the same hormonal protection against cardiovascular disease.
As a result, men start developing artery plaque much earlier in life, sometimes even from their teenage years. That's why it's important to understand your cardiovascular risk factors throughout your whole life and not wait until you're older to start thinking about your heart health.
Q. What are the key things men should focus on for lifelong heart health?
Heart health comes down to understanding and managing what is known as Life's Essential 8; eight key factors that influence cardiovascular health and long-term wellbeing.
1. Healthy sleep
Good sleep is important for heart health. Shift work and sleep apnoea can both increase cardiovascular risk and should be recognised and managed appropriately.
2. Physical activity
We know people who are sedentary have a higher risk of cardiovascular events, so regular exercise is essential for maintaining heart health and reducing risk.
Interestingly, the opposite extreme can also carry risks. Some studies have shown that people who undertake very high levels of endurance exercise may have higher levels of arterial plaque than the general population. The key message is not to ignore your risk factors, regardless of your fitness level.
3. Healthy weight
Maintaining a healthy weight is important, and waist circumference is becoming an increasingly useful measure of cardiovascular risk.
For men, aiming for a waist circumference of less than 94 centimetres around the belly button is a practical target.
4. Healthy diet
Diet plays a significant role in cardiovascular health.
I generally recommend the Mediterranean diet as a foundation for heart health. Some people may also benefit from the DASH diet, which is lower in salt and can help reduce blood pressure, while the portfolio diet may assist with lowering cholesterol. For weight management and diabetes, ketogenic approaches can be useful in selected patients.
5. Avoiding tobacco
Smoking remains one of the most significant cardiovascular risk factors.
It contributes to plaque build-up in the arteries earlier in life and significantly increases the risk of heart attack and blood clot formation. Even recent smoking can elevate your risk of heart attack, while current smoking can double the risk of clotting.
6. Cholesterol management
Understanding your cholesterol levels is critical.
Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol remains the most important cholesterol marker. Another important marker is Lipoprotein(a), which many people are unaware of.
It's a very important test that everyone should discuss with their GP.
7. Blood pressure control
You don't feel high blood pressure, which is why it's important to have it checked regularly.
I recommend checking your blood pressure at least once or twice a year to ensure it remains within a healthy range. Identifying and managing high blood pressure early can significantly reduce your long-term cardiovascular risk.
8. Blood sugar management
Diabetes is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease.
If you have diabetes, it's important to ensure it is well controlled, as it significantly increases the risk of heart disease and other vascular complications.
Q. What can happen if these risk factors are left untreated?
When plaque develops within the arteries, it increases the risk of a range of serious health conditions.
These can include:
- Heart attack
- Stroke
- Dementia
- Hypertension
- Kidney disease
- Vision loss
- Erectile dysfunction
All of these conditions can be linked to artery disease.
If you don't want to end up on lots of blood pressure tablets when you're older, make sure you treat your arteries better when you're younger.
Q. When should people start assessing their cardiovascular risk?
The earlier, the better.
Everyone should know their numbers and understand their cardiovascular risk profile. This includes monitoring blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar levels, while also being aware of family history and other risk factors.
This is particularly important if you have a strong family history of heart disease, chronic medical conditions or clotting disorders.
Know what your risk profile is like, especially if you've got a strong family history, chronic illnesses or even a clotting disorder.
For people with increased risk factors, I also recommend discussing a comprehensive cardiovascular risk assessment with your healthcare provider. In some cases, further investigations such as coronary artery imaging may be appropriate.
Q. What is your key message for Men's Health Week?
The important thing is that you need to know your cardiac risk factors throughout your whole life and not wait until you're older.
Heart disease often develops silently over many years, but many of the risk factors can be identified and managed early. Knowing your numbers, maintaining healthy lifestyle habits and seeking advice when needed can significantly reduce your risk of future cardiovascular disease.
Looking after your heart today can have a profound impact on your health and quality of life in the years ahead.
