Many men are very good at:

• mowing lawns with questionable knees
• ignoring symptoms
• saying “I’m fine” or Ill get to it “later”
• avoiding the doctor for approximately 7 years longer than recommended

As a GP, I often see men come in only after:

• their partner books the appointment
• symptoms become impossible to ignore
• something scares them like a mate having a major health event
• or they finally admit they are not feeling like themselves anymore

The challenge is that many important health conditions develop quietly over time.

• High blood pressure
• High cholesterol
• Type 2 diabetes
• Sleep apnoea
• Heart disease
• Depression
• Alcohol-related health problems

Often there are no major warning signs early on.

Midlife — particularly between 40 and 60 — is one of the most important opportunities for prevention and early intervention.

And importantly: feeling exhausted, stressed, gaining weight around the middle, snoring heavily, having low energy, poor sleep, erectile dysfunction, or reduced fitness is not always “just getting older.”

Sometimes it is your body waving a giant red flag.

Men are more likely to:

• delay healthcare
• die younger
• ignore mental health symptoms
• avoid discussing stress or anxiety
• have untreated high blood pressure
• drink alcohol at risky levels
• avoid preventative screening

One patient once told me:

“I thought if I ignored it long enough, maybe it would go away.”

Unfortunately, that strategy works very poorly for both high blood pressure, elevated sugar or cholesterol and suspicious skin lesions.

A good men’s health check may include:

🩺 blood pressure
🩸 cholesterol and other fats and diabetes screening
⚖️ weight and waist circumference
😴 sleep and snoring assessment
🫀 heart disease risk
🚭 smoking, vaping and other drugs discussion
🍺 alcohol intake
💪 exercise and strength training
🧠 mental health and stress, sexual issues. 
👨‍👩‍👧 family history
☀️ skin cancer checks
🚽 bowel screening

And no — looking after your health is not “soft.”

Think of it like servicing your car. You don’t wait until the engine blows up before you lift the bonnet. Regular servicing helps pick up small problems before they become expensive ones.

Your body deserves the same attention.

The goal is not simply living longer. It is staying:

• active
• independent
• mentally sharp
• strong
• well enough to enjoy life, family, friendships, work, travel, hobbies, sport, fishing trips, camping weekends, and retirement properly

Helpful resources:

• Healthy Male Australia: https://healthymale.org.au/
• Heart Foundation: https://www.heartfoundation.org.au/
• Beyond Blue Men’s Mental Health: https://www.beyondblue.org.au/
• Healthdirect Men’s Health: https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/mens-health
• Cancer Council Australia: https://www.cancer.org.au/

LifeVest helps people build healthier futures through evidence-based preventative health education, practical strategies, and compassionate care for real life. Learn more at https://lifevest.com.au/

Disclaimer
The information shared by LifeVest Pty Ltd is for general education and information only and is not medical advice. Please speak with your GP, specialist, or healthcare professional for advice about your own health and circumstances. We aim to keep our content accurate and up to date, however medical information and guidelines can change over time. External links are provided for convenience only and do not imply endorsement. LifeVest Pty Ltd is not responsible for any loss or harm resulting from reliance on information shared through our website, social media, or other communications