Heart attacks remain one of the leading causes of death among men in Germany – and often strike unexpectedly. Many sufferers are in their mid-40s, busy with work, and yet suddenly find themselves confronted with a life-threatening situation. What many underestimate is that a heart attack rarely begins suddenly. Rather, it is usually the result of years of silent processes that occur unnoticed within the body.
Men are particularly at risk because typical early warning signs are often ignored or misinterpreted, and preventative checkups are neglected. Performance pressure, stress, lack of sleep, alcohol, nicotine, and poor diet combine to create a body that compensates and ignores the symptoms for a long time until it can no longer cope.
What exactly is a heart attack?
A heart attack, medically known as a myocardial infarction , occurs when a blood vessel supplying the heart muscle is suddenly blocked . The cause is usually atherosclerosis , a chronic narrowing of the coronary arteries. If a plaque (composed of cholesterol, calcium, and inflammatory cells) builds up and ruptures, a blood clot forms, which can block blood flow. As a result, parts of the heart muscle are no longer adequately supplied with oxygen and begin to die.
The longer the blockage lasts, the greater the damage, which is why a quick response is vital.
Typical symptoms in men
In men, a classic heart attack often announces itself with the following symptoms:
- Severe pain or pressure behind the breastbone
- Pain radiating to the left arm, shoulder, back, or jaw
- Shortness of breath , even at rest
- Cold sweats, nausea, weakness
- Panic or “fear of death”
- Pale skin, dizziness, lightheadedness
However, there are also silent heart attacks, without clear symptoms. Especially in men with diabetes , elevated blood sugar , or chronic stress, a heart attack can present atypically, with fatigue, shortness of breath, or back pain instead of chest pain.
Risk factors: Why men are more frequently affected
Heart attacks affect men more frequently and at a younger age than women. The reasons lie in lifestyle, but also in hormonal and metabolic differences:
- Chronic stress (excess cortisol)
- High blood pressure (often undetected)
- High blood lipids and triglycerides
- Insulin resistance and elevated fasting blood sugar
- Abdominal fat / visceral obesity
- Smoking, alcohol consumption, lack of exercise
- Testosterone deficiency with a negative impact on vascular function, fat metabolism and susceptibility to inflammation
- Silent inflammation, e.g. elevated CRP, homocysteine or liver values such as GGT
Early diagnosis: Identify your risk
A heart attack often announces itself over years . The key is to look for the signs in time and interpret them correctly. The following values are particularly significant:
- LDL & HDL cholesterol
- Triglycerides
- CRP (inflammation marker)
- Homocysteine
- Fasting glucose, HOMA index, HbA1c
- Liver function tests (GGT, GPT)
- Testosterone, SHBG
- Blood pressure & heart rate at rest
Men with increased stress, excess weight, or a family history of these conditions should have these markers checked regularly – even without symptoms.
What you can do to reduce the risk
Preventing a heart attack begins long before symptoms appear. And it begins where you yourself can make a difference:
- Healthy diet : Mediterranean, high in fiber, low in sugar, avoid excess calories
- Exercise : At least 150 minutes of moderate activity per week; targeted strength and endurance training is even better.
- Regular sleep : At least 7 hours - for vascular repair and hormone balance
- Stress management : breathing techniques, meditation, conscious breaks
- Avoid nicotine and alcohol
- Laboratory checks : Check relevant laboratory values once a year
Last but not least, hormone levels also play a role: men with low testosterone have an increased risk of fatty liver disease, atherosclerosis, and cardiovascular disease . Taking early action not only protects the heart and blood vessels, but also vitality and libido.
Conclusion
A heart attack is not a sudden event, but rather the result of years of hormonal, metabolic, and inflammatory changes that often proceed silently. For men, it is both a warning sign and an opportunity: those who get tested early, optimize lifestyle factors, and understand their hormonal status can actively counteract the risk.
Tip: Have important risk markers such as CRP, homocysteine, cholesterol, and testosterone checked regularly and attend your preventive check-ups with your family doctor . This way, risks can be identified early and treated effectively.
