Good health is not always defined by whether something hurts.
Many of the conditions that become more common as men get older can develop quietly, while other changes are easily dismissed as stress, poor sleep or simply getting older.
Paying attention to patterns in energy, sleep, sexual function, exercise tolerance and general wellbeing can therefore be useful. None of these signs provides a diagnosis on its own, but persistent changes can indicate when it is worth looking more closely at your health.
Know your blood pressure
High blood pressure is a good example of a health problem that may produce no obvious warning signs.
Over time, uncontrolled blood pressure increases the risk of cardiovascular disease, including heart attack and stroke.
The only reliable way to know your blood pressure is to measure it.
For many men, particularly from middle age onwards, knowing this number can be as useful as knowing their weight.
Lifestyle factors also matter. Regular physical activity, maintaining a healthy weight, reducing excess salt, avoiding smoking and moderating alcohol intake can all contribute to cardiovascular health.
Do not ignore changes in exercise tolerance
Feeling breathless after an unusually demanding workout is very different from becoming noticeably more breathless during activities that previously felt easy.
A gradual decline in fitness may simply reflect becoming less active, but unexplained shortness of breath, chest discomfort, dizziness or a significant reduction in exercise tolerance should not automatically be attributed to age.
Exercise itself remains one of the most useful investments men can make in long term health.
A combination of aerobic activity and resistance training can support heart health, muscle strength, mobility and bone health. Strength training becomes particularly valuable with age because maintaining muscle helps preserve physical independence as well as supporting metabolic health.
Treat sleep as part of your health
Sleep is sometimes viewed as time that can be sacrificed to work, family commitments or social life.
Persistently inadequate sleep can affect concentration, mood and appetite, while poor quality sleep can leave someone tired even after spending enough time in bed.
Snoring deserves particular attention when it is accompanied by pauses in breathing, choking or gasping during sleep, severe daytime sleepiness or persistent morning headaches.
These can be features of obstructive sleep apnoea, a condition in which breathing repeatedly stops and starts during sleep.
Rather than simply compensating with more caffeine, persistent daytime tiredness is worth discussing with a healthcare professional when there is no obvious explanation.
Sexual health can tell you something about wider health
Occasional difficulty achieving or maintaining an erection is common.
Stress, tiredness and drinking too much alcohol can all temporarily affect sexual performance.
Persistent erectile dysfunction is different.
Erections rely partly on healthy blood flow, which means erectile difficulties can share risk factors with conditions such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes. Anxiety, depression, hormonal problems and certain medicines can also contribute.
For that reason, repeatedly experiencing erectile dysfunction should not simply be treated as an isolated bedroom problem.
Assessment can help establish whether there is an underlying factor that needs attention.
Where treatment is appropriate, PDE5 inhibitors are commonly used to support erectile function. Sildenafil, the active ingredient in Viagra tablets, works by supporting the normal blood flow response involved in producing an erection when a man is sexually stimulated.
Another option for suitable men is tadalafil, which works through the same general mechanism but remains active for considerably longer.
This does not mean one treatment is universally preferable. Medical history, existing medicines, side effects and individual preferences all affect suitability.
Importantly, medicines used for erectile dysfunction must not be combined with nitrate medicines used for conditions such as angina because the combination can cause a dangerous fall in blood pressure.
Watch for changes in waist size as well as weight
Body weight can be useful, but it does not tell the complete story.
Where body fat is carried also matters.
Excess fat around the abdomen is associated with increased metabolic and cardiovascular risk. A waistline that has gradually increased over several years may therefore be worth addressing even if the number on the scales has not changed dramatically.
Sustainable changes tend to be more useful than short periods of extreme dieting.
Regular meals based around vegetables, fruit, wholegrains and appropriate protein sources, combined with consistent physical activity, are more realistic for most people than repeatedly cycling through highly restrictive diets.
Do not overlook mental health
Men’s health conversations have traditionally concentrated heavily on physical disease.
Mental wellbeing deserves the same attention.
Persistent low mood, irritability, loss of motivation, sleep problems, difficulty concentrating and withdrawing from normal activities can all warrant support.
Mental health can also affect physical wellbeing.
Stress and anxiety can influence sleep, digestion, alcohol consumption and sexual function, while depression may reduce motivation to exercise, cook properly or keep appointments.
Seeking support early is preferable to waiting until problems become overwhelming.
Urgent support should be sought if someone is experiencing thoughts of self harm or suicide.
Be realistic about alcohol
Alcohol can become part of everyday routine surprisingly easily.
A drink after work, several drinks at the weekend and social occasions can add up across the week.
Higher alcohol consumption can affect blood pressure, liver health, sleep, weight and mood. It can also contribute to temporary erectile difficulties.
Keeping track of how much you actually drink can therefore be useful.
UK guidance recommends that men and women who drink regularly should not routinely exceed 14 units per week, ideally spread over three or more days.
Having several alcohol free days each week can make consumption easier to monitor.
Pay attention to persistent urinary changes
Changes in urination become more common as men age.
Needing to urinate more frequently, getting up repeatedly during the night, difficulty starting the flow of urine or feeling that the bladder has not emptied properly can be associated with an enlarged prostate.
These symptoms are often caused by benign conditions, but they should still be assessed when persistent or troublesome.
Blood in the urine always warrants medical attention.
Men should also seek advice for persistent pain, unexplained changes in urinary habits or other symptoms that are new for them rather than assuming they are an inevitable consequence of ageing.
Prevention is easier when you know your baseline
One of the most useful things a man can do for his health is understand what is normal for him.
Know your usual blood pressure. Pay attention to changes in weight and waist circumference. Notice when sleep quality, fitness, mood or sexual function changes for an extended period.
This does not mean becoming preoccupied with every minor symptom.
Bodies fluctuate and an occasional poor night’s sleep, difficult workout or episode of erectile difficulty is rarely meaningful on its own.
Patterns are more important.
When something changes and stays changed, asking why is often more useful than automatically accepting it as part of getting older.
Looking after men’s health is not about chasing perfect numbers or trying to prevent every possible illness. It is about recognising the signals that deserve attention, addressing risk factors where possible and seeking appropriate advice before a manageable problem becomes a more significant one.
