Fathers have poorer heart health later in life compared to non-fathers, according to the first longitudinal, multi-ethnic study in the U.S. examining the relationship between fatherhood and cardiovascular health.
The study revealed that the stress and responsibilities of parenting might make it harder for fathers to maintain heart-healthy habits. These findings varied based on the age at which men became fathers and their ethnic backgrounds.
U.S. researchers suggest their study underscores the need for better support for fathers from communities and healthcare professionals.
“The changes in heart health we found suggest that the added responsibility of childcare and the stress of transitioning to fatherhood may make it difficult for men to maintain a healthy lifestyle, such as a healthy diet and exercise,” said John James Parker, the study’s lead author and an internist and pediatrician at Northwestern University.
Parker and his team analyzed data from 2,814 men aged 45–84, monitored for up to 18 years. Heart health assessments included self-reported diet, exercise, and smoking habits, along with measurements of body mass index, blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood glucose levels.
The study found that fathers generally had poorer heart health compared to non-fathers. This was especially true for men who became fathers at 25 or younger, with Black and Hispanic men in this group showing higher death rates.
Several factors may contribute to these statistics. Younger fathers may face financial instability and have less flexibility to take time off work, impacting their health.
“A lot of times we focus on the health of mothers and children, and we don’t even think of fathers, but their health has a major influence on their family,” Parker said. “To improve the health of families, we need to consider the multi-directional relationship among mothers, fathers, other caregivers, and children.”
The data doesn’t establish direct cause and effect, and the health differences between fathers and non-fathers, though statistically significant, were not huge. However, given that heart disease is the leading cause of death among U.S. men, the association merits further investigation.
Interestingly, when considering all causes of death, fathers’ overall mortality rate was lower than that of non-fathers. After age adjustments, Black fathers were the only subgroup with a lower death rate compared to non-fathers. This suggests that becoming a father might promote a healthier lifestyle for Black men.
The researchers emphasize that fathers’ health impacts not just themselves but also their families. While some health changes associated with fatherhood might be inevitable, others can be managed.
“We really need to study fathers as a unique population and track men’s health outcomes as they become fathers,” Parker said. “Cardiovascular health is especially important since the health behaviors and factors are all modifiable.”
