Man’s heart scare underscores importance of routine checkups during Men’s Health Month
WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — Health experts are encouraging men to prioritize routine medical care during Men’s Health Month, warning that delaying doctor visits can have serious consequences.
For Winnabow resident Mickey Syrop, putting off a checkup nearly cost him his health.
Syrop said he considered himself active, competing in triathlons and rarely feeling the need to see a doctor for regular physicals.
“I guess I should have went for more,” Syrop said.
That changed when he began experiencing symptoms that eventually became impossible to ignore.
“There I am one day competing in triathlons for America and the next day it’s like I can’t run,” Syrop said.
After finally seeking medical care, doctors determined he needed triple bypass surgery.
“You think you’re infallible, you think you’re the healthiest person around,” he said.
Health experts say Syrop’s experience reflects a common mindset among men. According to researchers, reasons men often avoid doctor visits include fear of receiving bad news, busy schedules, discomfort with medical exams and cultural expectations that encourage some men to “tough it out.”
Dr. Austin Sherman with Novant Health said another growing concern is people attempting to diagnose themselves online rather than seeking professional medical advice.
“There’s a lot of discourse, especially online and through different media outlets, from other people who might not be actually trained physicians,” Sherman said. “The importance of going to a primary care physician is somebody who can actually know who you are and can make recommendations for you.”
Federal data suggests women are more likely than men to seek preventive care. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, women are about 33% more likely than men to visit a doctor.
Susan Brown said she makes annual checkups a priority, particularly because of her family history of heart disease.
“I have a family history of heart conditions and though I don’t have a bad heart, it is a condition that is helped by medication,” Brown said. “I have had routine checkups every year.”
Experts say other reasons men avoid seeking care include concerns about medical costs, a tendency to take a “wait and see” approach when symptoms arise and lingering stigmas surrounding mental health treatment.
Doctors encourage men to establish a relationship with a primary care provider and schedule regular preventive screenings, even when they feel healthy.
