Mike Ditka-Tackling Men's Health

Mike Ditka-Tackling Men's Health

October 2004
Volume IV, Number 4

Why do males tend to access medical services less often than females? Even in life-threatening situations such as heart attacks, studies have found that men hesitate to take symptoms seriously.

"It's a macho attitude," says former Chicago Bears coach Mike Ditka. "But there's nothing worse than bad health. To stay in the game, you must pay attention to what your body is telling you. Go see a doctor, and get some good advice."

Ditka himself was temporarily sidelined in 1988 after suffering a heart attack and later undergoing angioplasty for a clogged artery.

Over time, he began to build a better defense against heart and other diseases by changing his diet and lifestyle to include exercise and to reduce stress.

Today, Ditka travels the country as the spokesperson for the "Tackling Men's Health" campaign, which urges all men to take their health more seriously.

The campaign focuses on primary health issues men face, such as heart disease and diabetes. Rather than passively waiting for signals that something has gone awry, Ditka urges prevention and early detection. The campaign provides educational materials and guidance on how best to protect heart, prostate, mental, and sexual health.

"You can't play without a plan; the information we are providing offers a start," Ditka told NHW. "We talk about some of the most common health issues facing men and steps you can take to stay on top of the game."

The campaign lists some of the health exams and tests recommended for average-risk men over the age of 18. Of course, based on medical history, your doctor may recommend other tests, exams, or frequency. For men over 50, for example, regular prostate check-ups that include both prostate specific antigen (PSA) tests and digital rectal exams (DRE) are recommended during annual routine physicals--perhaps more often for men in high-risk groups, such as African-American men or individuals with a family history of the disease.

Ditka also discusses erectile dysfunction (ED), which affects more than 50 percent of all men over 40 years old. The condition could signal an underlying cardiovascular problem or heart disease, such as high blood pressure, and should be discussed with your physician or cardiologist.

"Iron Mike" went public several years ago about the impact of ED in his own life and the steps he took to address it.

"I want my life to be complete till I die," Ditka says. "Why would I want to take that out of my life? The only way to correct it is to talk about it. I went and saw my doctor. He gave me some recommendations."

Mental health is another important aspect of self-care. Ditka lost his father to Alzheimer's disease. But whether you're talking about depression or memory loss, medications and early intervention can play a role in easing the conditions.

For Ditka, getting older doesn't mean you have to take yourself out of the lineup. But it does mean taking your health more seriously. Tackling Men's Health (tacklingmenshealth.com) provides stats, tips, and tools that can help you manage your health better.

By stepping forward, Ditka hopes to inspire other men with health problems to seek treatment.

"It's a chance to give back and help people," Ditka says of his participation in the health campaign. "I may not be coaching the game anymore. But this way, I'm coaching men to take better care of themselves."