Renowned cardiologist Dr. Mahendra Carpen has expressed concern about the decreasing life expectancy of men across the Caribbean, including Guyana. He pointed out that preventable diseases and social attitudes contribute to men’s lives shortening at an alarming rate. During his speech at the Men’s Wellness Symposium at Herdmanston Lodge on Wednesday, in observance of International Men’s Day, he stressed that progress at the national level depends on creating healthier men, families, and communities. However, achieving this requires tackling deeply rooted cultural and systemic issues.
Dr. Carpen observed that, although men and women in the region live under similar conditions, have equal access to food, and are exposed to broader societal factors, men still die three to four years earlier on average. He explained that men are more than twice as likely to suffer from premature death, mainly due to heart disease, cancers, liver failure, accidents, and suicide. He linked many of these issues to risky male-dominated industries, excessive alcohol use—especially binge drinking on weekends—and dangerous lifestyle choices.
He emphasized that men in the region often neglect medical care until health issues become serious, noting that countries with strong preventive care systems have higher life expectancy because people are monitored throughout their lives through regular health screenings, vaccinations, and check-ups. According to him, societies that prioritize lifelong preventive care see their citizens live longer and enjoy a better quality of life.
Dr. Carpen also pointed out that stigma remains one of the biggest obstacles to improving men’s health. He explained that casual ridicule or dismissive remarks among peers can discourage men from talking about their feelings or seeking help, even though meaningful friendships and open support networks are crucial for mental and emotional well-being. Research consistently shows that positive male companionship lowers stress and boosts psychological resilience, yet societies still condition men to stay silent about personal struggles.
He also pointed out that the medical community often fails men by only treating surface symptoms and overlooking deeper issues like mental health, relationship stress, sexual health concerns, and lifestyle factors. Therefore, he supported a more comprehensive evaluation model—one that considers physical health along with emotional, social, financial, spiritual, occupational, and environmental influences.
He pointed out that heart-related conditions are the main cause of death and disability among men in the Caribbean, with blood flow problems leading to issues such as strokes, heart attacks, circulation problems, erectile dysfunction, and heart failure. These conditions, he explained, can impact every organ dependent on blood supply—from the brain to the extremities.
Dr. Carpen warned that lifestyle changes have also worsened eating habits because busy schedules cause many families to replace traditional meals with processed, convenient foods. To fix this, he suggested a simple dietary rule: fill half of each plate with vegetables or salad and evenly split the remaining space between protein sources and carbs.
Finally, men in the Caribbean, including Guyana, need to follow the advice from Dr. Carpen. It’s true that many men tend to ignore their health and well-being