Gentlemen, the days of waiting to go to the doctor until you have serious symptoms have got to come to an end. Especially because common health issues are often just the start of bigger problems to come.

Studies have shown that hypertension is a leading contributor to chronic kidney disease, alongside diabetes, with both conditions frequently underdiagnosed or poorly managed. 

Doctors now refer to this cluster as cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic (CKM) syndrome – a term describing how heart disease, kidney disease and metabolic disorders like diabetes don’t occur in isolation, but rather fuel one another. For instance, high blood pressure (hypertension) can damage blood vessels in the kidneys, while poorly controlled blood sugar can accelerate both heart and kidney damage.

This is where the concept of “knowing your numbers” becomes essential. Health experts are urging men to regularly check their:

1. Blood pressure
2. Blood glucose (sugar levels)
3. Cholesterol
4. Kidney function (eGFR or creatinine levels)

These simple tests can provide an early warning of underlying problems long before symptoms appear. Detecting these conditions early can greatly reduce the risk of serious complications and even small, consistent lifestyle changes can have a meaningful impact on long term health. Start by adopting these good health habits:

• Controlling your blood pressure
• Managing your blood sugar levels with a diabetic-friendly diet
• Reducing salt intake, which is particularly relevant in South Afrkica where average consumption exceeds recommended levels
• Maintaining a healthy weight and staying physically active
• Limiting alcohol consumption and avoiding tobacco
• Following prescribed treatment plans consistently
• Regular screening and monitoring for hypertension and/ or diabetes

Content by Pharma Dynamics.

For more on health, visit Get It Magazine.