Every year, countless South African men push through fatigue, ignore recurring headaches, dismiss weight gain, or assume that feeling “a little off” is simply part of getting older.
The problem is that some of the country’s most dangerous health conditions often develop quietly, without obvious warning signs.
This Men’s Health Month, healthcare experts are raising concern that millions of people may be living with the early stages of heart disease, kidney disease or metabolic disorders without knowing it. By the time symptoms become severe enough to demand attention, significant and sometimes irreversible damage may already have occurred.
New international research indicates that early heart dysfunction frequently goes undiagnosed, highlighting a growing global concern. In South Africa, where hypertension, diabetes and kidney disease are already widespread, the implications are particularly significant.
High blood pressure affects nearly one in three South African adults. Yet many people remain unaware that they have the condition, while others are not adequately controlling it. The consequences extend far beyond elevated blood pressure readings, increasing the risk of heart attacks, strokes, kidney failure and diabetes-related complications.
Men may face an even greater risk because they are generally less likely to seek preventative healthcare or attend routine screenings before symptoms become serious.
The Dangerous Connection Many People Don’t Know About
Medical experts are increasingly focusing on a condition known as Cardiovascular-Kidney-Metabolic Syndrome, often referred to as CKM syndrome.
Rather than viewing heart disease, kidney disease and diabetes as separate conditions, CKM syndrome recognises that these illnesses are deeply interconnected and often fuel one another.
High blood pressure can damage delicate blood vessels in the kidneys. Poorly controlled blood sugar can accelerate both heart and kidney damage. Kidney disease, in turn, can place additional strain on the cardiovascular system.
The result is a complex cycle where one condition increases the risk and severity of another.
Growing scientific evidence is also highlighting the relationship between testosterone levels and metabolic health in men. Research suggests that insulin resistance is often associated with lower testosterone levels, while weight gain itself may contribute to declining hormone levels. Some studies have indicated that testosterone replacement therapy could improve certain metabolic markers, including waist circumference and triglyceride levels, both of which are linked to cardiovascular risk.
The Biggest Challenge: Conditions That Develop in Silence
One of the most concerning aspects of heart, kidney and metabolic disease is how quietly they can progress.
Unlike an injury that causes immediate pain, chronic conditions such as kidney disease often develop without noticeable symptoms in their early stages.
According to Ingrid Singels, Associate Director of Scientific Products at Pharma Dynamics, delayed diagnosis remains one of the greatest obstacles to effective treatment.
“By the time clinicians see patients with complications, they are often managing damage rather than preventing it,” she explains.
This reality means that many patients only seek medical attention once significant organ damage has already occurred.
Hypertension and diabetes remain two of the leading contributors to chronic kidney disease, yet both conditions continue to be underdiagnosed and poorly managed. Socioeconomic barriers, limited access to routine healthcare and low levels of public awareness further contribute to delayed diagnosis.
Know Your Numbers Before It’s Too Late
Healthcare professionals are encouraging South Africans to adopt a simple but potentially life-saving habit: know your numbers.
Regular screening can identify warning signs long before symptoms develop.
Experts recommend monitoring:
• Blood pressure
• Blood glucose (blood sugar levels)
• Cholesterol levels
• Kidney function through eGFR or creatinine testing
These routine tests provide valuable insight into overall health and can help identify risks before they develop into major complications.
Screening Is More Accessible Than Many People Realise
One of the biggest misconceptions surrounding preventative healthcare is that screening is expensive or difficult to access.
In reality, blood pressure testing is widely available at pharmacies, clinics and GP practices throughout South Africa. Blood glucose and kidney function tests can be performed through simple blood tests at public healthcare facilities or private laboratories.
Many medical aid schemes also include annual wellness screenings, while public sector clinics provide essential screening services at little or no cost.
A New Approach to Prevention
Healthcare providers are increasingly moving beyond treating single conditions in isolation.
Rather than focusing solely on high blood pressure or elevated cholesterol, clinicians are now looking at an individual’s broader cardiometabolic risk profile.
This integrated approach considers blood pressure, cholesterol, kidney health, blood sugar levels and lifestyle factors together, helping reduce the overall risk of serious complications.
Experts believe that even modest lifestyle improvements can significantly reduce long-term health risks.
Recommended actions include:
• Managing blood pressure effectively
• Following a diabetic-friendly eating plan where necessary
• Reducing salt consumption
• Maintaining a healthy weight
• Staying physically active
• Limiting alcohol intake
• Avoiding tobacco use
• Following prescribed treatment plans consistently
• Undergoing regular health screenings
A Simple Test Could Save Your Life
As non-communicable diseases continue to rise across South Africa, early detection remains one of the most powerful tools available to patients and healthcare professionals alike.
For men in particular, routine screening could reveal silent health threats before they develop into life-changing complications.
The message from health experts this Men’s Health Month is clear: don’t wait for symptoms.
A quick blood pressure check, a routine blood test or an annual health screening could provide the early warning needed to prevent heart disease, kidney failure, diabetes-related complications and other serious health outcomes.
In the fight against cardiovascular, kidney and metabolic disease, knowledge truly is power — and knowing your numbers may be one of the most important investments you ever make in your health.
