Men’s Health After 40: 10 Statistics Every Middle-Aged Man Should Know

Middle age is an important time to pay closer attention to your health.

Why? Because high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity, cardiovascular risk factors, prostate conditions, kidney disease, and vascular disease become increasingly common as men get older.

Some of the numbers may surprise you.

More importantly, understanding these health statistics can help you recognize which screenings, symptoms, and conversations with your doctor deserve attention.

Quick Answer: What Health Problems Become More Common in Men After 40?

Some of the most important health concerns for men in middle age and beyond include high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity, abnormal cholesterol, cardiovascular disease, erectile dysfunction, benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), prostate cancer, chronic kidney disease, and Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD).

Many of these conditions are connected.

High blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, obesity, smoking, and physical inactivity can affect blood vessels throughout the body. That means the same underlying risk factors can influence your heart, brain, kidneys, legs, and sexual health.

Here are 10 statistics every man should know.

1. More Than Half of Men Ages 40–59 Have High Blood Pressure

(SOURCE: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention )

High blood pressure can develop without obvious symptoms.

According to the National Center for Health Statistics, 55.9% of U.S. men ages 40–59 had hypertension during August 2021–August 2023.

Among men age 60 and older, the prevalence reached 72.7%.

High blood pressure can damage artery walls over time and increase the risk of heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, and other cardiovascular complications.

Because hypertension often has no symptoms, knowing your blood pressure is an important part of preventive care.

2. Nearly 1 in 5 Adults Ages 40–59 Has Diabetes

Diabetes becomes increasingly common with age.

CDC/NCHS data found that 17.7% of U.S. adults ages 40–59 had total diabetes, including both diagnosed and undiagnosed diabetes.

The prevalence increased to 27.3% among adults age 60 and older.

Men also had a higher overall prevalence of diabetes than women. Among adults age 20 and older, total diabetes prevalence was 18.0% in men compared with 13.7% in women.

Why Diabetes Matters for Vascular Health

Persistently elevated blood glucose can damage blood vessels and nerves.

Over time, diabetes can contribute to heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, vision problems, nerve damage, and problems involving the feet.

Diabetes can also contribute to erectile dysfunction in men.

Because many of these complications involve the circulation, controlling blood sugar is also an important part of protecting vascular health.

3. About 45% of Men Ages 40–59 Have Obesity

Obesity is particularly common during middle age.

According to CDC/NCHS data, 45.4% of U.S. men ages 40–59 met the BMI criteria for obesity during August 2021–August 2023.

Among all adults ages 40–59, the prevalence was 46.4%, higher than in adults ages 20–39 or age 60 and older.

Obesity is associated with a greater risk of hypertension, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, sleep apnea, and other chronic conditions.

BMI does have limitations and does not directly measure body fat or its distribution. However, it remains a commonly used clinical screening measurement.

4. 18.3% of Men Ages 40–59 Have High Total Cholesterol

Cholesterol levels and cardiovascular risk can change significantly during adulthood.

CDC/NCHS data found that 18.3% of U.S. men ages 40–59 had high total cholesterol, defined in this report as total cholesterol of 240 mg/dL or higher.

However, doctors no longer evaluate cardiovascular risk based on total cholesterol alone.

LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, triglycerides, non-HDL cholesterol, and other markers can provide additional information.

Blood pressure, diabetes, smoking history, family history, kidney disease, and previous cardiovascular disease also influence your overall risk.

5. Nearly 1 in 3 Men Has Multiple Cardiovascular Risk Factors

This may be one of the most important statistics on the list.

CDC/NCHS data published in 2025 found that 31.7% of U.S. men had two or more cardiovascular disease risk factors, compared with 25.8% of women.

Among all adults ages 40–59, 34.5% had two or more of the risk factors measured in the study.

The NCHS analysis specifically evaluated:

• High blood pressure
• Very high non-HDL cholesterol
• Elevated blood glucose measured by A1c
• BMI of 30 or higher

Why the Combination Matters

Cardiovascular risk factors often occur together.

For example, a person may have high blood pressure, diabetes, and unhealthy cholesterol levels at the same time.

Having multiple risk factors is associated with greater cardiovascular risk than looking at one abnormal measurement in isolation.

That is why prevention should focus on your complete cardiovascular risk profile.

6. Erectile Dysfunction Affects Millions of American Men

Erectile dysfunction becomes more common with age, but it should not automatically be dismissed as a normal part of getting older.

The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases reports that an estimated 30 million to 50 million men in the United States have erectile dysfunction (ED).

At age 40, about 40% of men are affected, and the prevalence increases with age.

ED can have many causes, including medications, hormonal factors, psychological conditions, diabetes, and neurological disease.

It can also have a vascular component.

The American College of Cardiology recognizes erectile dysfunction as a marker of cardiovascular risk, particularly when vascular disease contributes to the problem.

New or unexplained erectile dysfunction therefore deserves a medical discussion rather than simply being attributed to aging.

7. About 1 in 4 Men Has BPH Symptoms by Age 55

Benign prostatic hyperplasia, or BPH, is a noncancerous enlargement of the prostate.

According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, symptoms related to BPH are present in about 1 in 4 men by age 55 and approximately half of men by age 75.

For middle-aged men, that means urinary changes deserve attention rather than an automatic “that’s just aging” explanation.

Symptoms can include:

• A weaker urine stream
• Difficulty starting urination
• Frequent urination
• Urgency
• Feeling that the bladder has not completely emptied
• Frequent nighttime trips to the bathroom

Treatment depends on the severity of symptoms, prostate anatomy, medical history, and patient preferences.

Options range from monitoring and medication to surgical and minimally invasive treatments. Prostate Artery Embolization (PAE) is one minimally invasive option for appropriately selected men with bothersome BPH symptoms.

8. About 1 in 8 Men Will Be Diagnosed With Prostate Cancer

Prostate cancer risk also increases with age.

The American Cancer Society estimates that about 1 in 8 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer during his lifetime.

For 2026, the American Cancer Society estimates approximately 333,830 new prostate cancer cases and 36,320 deaths in the United States.

Age is an important factor. About 6 in 10 prostate cancers are diagnosed in men age 65 or older, and the average age at diagnosis is about 67.

BPH and prostate cancer are different conditions. Having urinary symptoms does not automatically mean that a man has prostate cancer, but new or persistent urinary changes should be evaluated.

9. Chronic Kidney Disease Often Goes Undetected

Kidney disease becomes increasingly common with age and frequently causes few symptoms in its earlier stages.

The CDC’s 2026 Chronic Kidney Disease report estimates that 12.9% of U.S. adults ages 45–64 have chronic kidney disease (CKD).

Among adults age 65 and older, the prevalence rises to 34.2%.

The report estimates that 14.1% of adult men have CKD overall.

Perhaps even more striking, approximately 87% of adults age 20 and older with CKD did not know they had it.

High blood pressure and diabetes are major risk factors for kidney disease, providing another example of how cardiovascular, metabolic, and kidney health are connected.

10. Approximately 6.5 Million Americans Age 40 and Older Have PAD

Peripheral Artery Disease, or PAD, develops when arteries—most commonly those supplying the legs—become narrowed or blocked.

The CDC estimates that approximately 6.5 million people age 40 and older in the United States have PAD.

PAD becomes more common with age and is strongly associated with smoking, diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and atherosclerosis.

A classic symptom is pain, cramping, aching, or heaviness in the legs during walking that improves with rest.

However, PAD is not always obvious. The CDC reports that up to 4 in 10 people with PAD have no leg pain.

Other possible signs include cold or numb toes, decreased pulses, changes in the skin, or sores on the feet or legs that do not heal.

Learn more about Peripheral Artery Disease and minimally invasive treatment options.

What Do These 10 Men’s Health Statistics Have in Common?

Although hypertension, diabetes, BPH, erectile dysfunction, kidney disease, and PAD may appear to be unrelated conditions, many share common risk factors.

Blood pressure, blood sugar, cholesterol, body weight, smoking, physical activity, genetics, and age can influence multiple organ systems at the same time.

The vascular system is one of the connections.

Your arteries supply blood to your heart, brain, kidneys, legs, and reproductive organs. When blood vessel health deteriorates, the effects can appear in different areas of the body.

That is why men’s health after 40 is best approached by looking at the whole cardiovascular and metabolic picture, rather than treating every number or symptom in isolation.

Which Symptoms Should Men Over 40 Never Ignore?

Not every new symptom signals a serious condition, but certain changes deserve medical attention.

Seek immediate medical care for symptoms such as chest pain or pressure, sudden severe shortness of breath, or signs of a stroke.

Other symptoms that should be discussed with a healthcare professional include:

• Leg pain or cramping while walking
• Persistent leg swelling
• Cold or numb feet or toes
• Slow-healing wounds on the feet or legs
• New or unexplained erectile dysfunction
• A significant change in urination
• Blood in the urine
• Unexplained weight loss
• Persistent fatigue

These symptoms can have many possible causes. A medical evaluation can help determine what is happening and whether treatment is needed.

The Bottom Line

The statistics tell a consistent story: health risks change as men move through middle age and beyond.

Blood pressure screening can identify hypertension. Blood testing can detect diabetes, kidney problems, and abnormal cholesterol. New urinary symptoms can lead to an evaluation for BPH or other prostate conditions. Erectile dysfunction can sometimes provide an important clue about cardiovascular health. Leg symptoms may indicate a circulation problem such as PAD.

The earlier you understand your individual risk factors, the more opportunity you have to address them.

Frequently Asked Questions About Men’s Health After 40

Medical Sources and References

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention / National Center for Health Statistics

Hypertension Prevalence, Awareness, Treatment, and Control

Prevalence of Total, Diagnosed, and Undiagnosed Diabetes

Obesity and Severe Obesity Prevalence in Adults

Total and HDL Cholesterol in Adults

Prevalence of Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors

Chronic Kidney Disease in the United States, 2026

Peripheral Arterial Disease

National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases

Erectile Dysfunction: Definition and Facts

Johns Hopkins Medicine

Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH)

American Cancer Society

Key Statistics for Prostate Cancer