A new study reports that heart disease is the top cause of death for men, and being a father could increase their risk of developing poor heart health later in life. The study looked at 2,814 men between 45 and 84 years old and found that fathers had worse cardiovascular health as they got older compared to non-fathers. The participants’ heart health was assessed based on their diet, physical activity, smoking habits, weight, blood pressure, and levels of lipids and glucose in their blood.The latest study conducted by scientists at Northwestern University and Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago has revealed that being a father can have negative impacts on cardiovascular health in later life. The study, which involved 2,814 men aged 45 to 84, compared the cardiovascular health of fathers and nonfathers. The participants’ heart health was assessed based on their diet, physical activity, smoking habits, weight, blood pressure, and levels of lipids and glucose in their blood. The findings indicate that the additional responsibility of childcare and the stress of transitioning to fatherhood may make it challenging for men to maintain good heart health.”We should prioritize maintaining a healthy lifestyle, which includes following a nutritious diet and engaging in regular exercise,” stated Dr. John James Parker, an internist, pediatrician, and assistant professor of pediatrics and general internal medicine at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, who is the corresponding author of the study.
Dr. Parker emphasized the necessity of researching fathers as a distinct group and monitoring men’s health as they transition into fatherhood. He also highlighted the significance of cardiovascular health, as the behaviors and factors influencing it are all subject to change.”
The study was recently released as a peer-reviewed preprint in the journal AJPM Focus, with a more finalized version set to be published soon.
Study: Fathers’ Heart Health and Mortality Rates
According to the study, despite experiencing poorer heart health as they age, fathers actually have lower death rates compared to nonfathers. Parker suggested that this paradoxical relationship could be due to the fact that fathers tend to have stronger social support systems, which has been linked to reduced mortality.
Parker also pointed out that fathers may be more likely to have their children as potential caregivers in the future, which could help them with attending medical appointments and managing their medications and treatments as they grow older.”We also discovered that fathers had lower levels of depressive symptoms compared to nonfathers, so mental health might be a contributing factor to the lower age-adjusted death rates among fathers.”
The research involved men who identified themselves as Black, Chinese, Hispanic, or White, and the age-adjusted death rate for all Black fathers was lower compared to Black nonfathers, the only racial and ethnic subgroup with this correlation.
“Fatherhood could be a protective factor for Black men,” Parker suggested. “Becoming a father might promote a healthier lifestyle for Black men. Further exploration of this connection could have significant public health implications.”
PPrevious research on fatherhood, heart health, cardiovascular disease, and mortality did not encompass diverse racial and ethnic groups and did not provide a thorough evaluation of cardiovascular health. This study is unique because it involved participants from the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA).
Additionally, this study investigated the impact of the age at which men become fathers on their heart health and disease outcomes. Interestingly, men who became fathers at a younger age (25 years old and younger) – especially Black and Hispanic men – experienced poorer heart health and higher mortality rates, suggesting that they may benefit from targeted clinical and public health interventions.
Healthcare is a major concern for young people, especially those under 25. Financial instability, less mature brains, and lower-paying jobs with limited benefits and leave policies can all make it difficult for them to focus on their health. According to Parker, there are numerous public health interventions for young mothers, but the same level of attention has not been given to young fathers.
‘A father’s health has a major influence on their family’
Given that most men in the U.S. are fathers, it is important to understand the reasons behind their health challenges.The connections between health, illness, and fatherhood could be crucial for men’s health, particularly for men of color, according to researchers. “We often focus on the health of mothers and children and overlook the health of fathers, but their well-being significantly impacts their family,” Parker explained, referring to previous studies that linked higher obesity rates in partners when their spouse was obese. “To promote family health, we must consider the complex relationship between mothers, fathers, caregivers, and children.” The research also revealed a higher smoking rate among fathers, as noted by Park.The researcher’s findings are surprising, as previous studies have indicated that many fathers stop smoking when they become parents. The study focused on older fathers, suggesting that while some men may quit smoking when they first become fathers, they may later experience increased stress and resume the habit. Regardless, it is important to monitor smoking rates, as it is a major contributor to preventable deaths and can have a significant impact on the health of a father’s family. The researchers assessed the cardiovascular health of the participants using the American Heart Association Life’s Essential 8 scores, excluding sleep.The study participants were divided into fathers (82%) and nonfathers based on an interview where they were asked about their children’s ages and medical conditions. Those who did not mention having children were classified as nonfathers.
Additional authors from Northwestern involved in the study are Dr. Craig Garfield, Clarissa Simon, Laura Colangelo and Norrina Allen.
