How men can live to 80: 4 habits that could save your life
Men's habits that can extend life (photo: Getty Images)
The average life expectancy of men in Ukraine has dropped to a critical level of 57.3 years - nearly 14 years less than that of women. In addition to the devastating consequences of war, the main invisible killers of Ukrainian men on the home front remain heart attacks, cancer, and a complete disregard for their own health.
RBC-Ukraine explains how men can extend their lifespan, citing a Facebook post by professor and nutritionist Oleh Shvets.
The main problem among men
The biggest problem is that men tend to avoid preventive doctor visits. They usually seek medical help only when the pain becomes unbearable, and the disease has already reached a critical stage. However, basic monitoring of weight, blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood glucose levels can add decades of healthy life.
Three silent killers and a weak heart
Mortality from cardiovascular diseases in Ukraine is reaching record levels. Heart attacks, coronary heart disease, and strokes claim the lives of working-age men every day.
Experts identify three key factors behind the risk of premature death among men not involved in combat: alcohol abuse, smoking, and chronically high blood pressure. To protect their cardiovascular health, doctors strongly advise giving up harmful habits and strictly controlling body weight.
When to start cancer screening
Cancer is the second leading cause of death. The danger of cancer lies in its often symptom-free onset, making early screening the only real chance for successful treatment. Specialists recommend the following screening schedule:
- Colorectal cancer: Regular screening is essential for all men over the age of 45.
- Prostate cancer: Men at high risk due to family history should begin screening at age 40, while others should discuss screening with a urologist at age 55.
- Skin and lung cancer: Smokers should undergo regular lung screening, and all men should have their moles checked by a dermatologist once a year. Melanoma is diagnosed particularly often in men because many ignore the use of sunscreen.
Stress, depression, and the destructive effects of sleep deprivation
Mental health remains a taboo subject for many Ukrainian men. They rarely speak about emotional exhaustion or seek psychological help, contributing to alarmingly high suicide rates.
Chronic stress combined with insufficient sleep (less than 7-9 hours per night) weakens the immune system, reduces productivity, and exacerbates physical illnesses. Doctors urge men not to struggle with anxiety alone and not to hesitate to contact psychological support hotlines.
Simple steps toward longevity
Changing these grim statistics is entirely possible and does not require extraordinary effort. It is enough to replace processed meats, fast food, and sugar with a Mediterranean diet rich in vegetables, legumes, fish, and olive oil.
Regular physical activity, especially strength training, is essential. It not only strengthens the heart and joints but also helps maintain normal testosterone levels - the key hormone responsible for men's health, energy, and emotional stability.
This material is for informational purposes only and should not be used for medical diagnosis or self-treatment. Our goal is to provide readers with accurate information about symptoms, causes, and methods of detecting diseases. RBС-Ukraine is not responsible for any diagnoses that readers may make based on materials from the resource. We do not recommend self-treatment and advise consulting a doctor in case of any health concerns.
