The Man MOT - 10 things every man should know about his health

During International Men's Health Week 2026 (June 15 – 21), Emerald Urgent Care is championing this international initiative, which focuses on breaking down health stigmas and raising awareness of preventable health issues, such as prostate cancer, cardiovascular disease, and men's mental health.

It’s well known that men are consistently less likely than women to visit a doctor, and more likely to wait until symptoms become impossible to ignore.

With clinics on Great Victoria Street, Belfast, and in Enniskillen and Derry/Londonderry, Emerald Urgent Care is urging men to take a different approach to their wellbeing, starting with knowing their numbers.

David Cousins, a prescribing paramedic who works across Emerald Urgent Care’s three clinics, has 20 years’ experience in healthcare. He wants to be part of the solution in encouraging men to be health-aware, he explains: “Men tend to treat their health the way they treat a warning light on the dashboard, they’ll keep driving and hope it goes away.

“But the conditions that cause men the most harm, such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure and prostate cancer, are often silent in the early stages.

“The good news is that almost all of these are measurable, manageable and, if caught early, very treatable. A simple health check can tell you more about your future health in one appointment than years of guesswork.”

10 things every man should watch, monitor or do:

1.     Know your blood pressure

High blood pressure is one of the biggest drivers of heart attack and stroke, and it usually has no symptoms at all. Every man should know his numbers, ideally from his thirties onwards, and have them checked regularly.

2.     Get your cholesterol checked

Raised cholesterol quietly clogs up the arteries over decades. A simple blood test tells you where you stand, and there’s a huge amount you can do about it with diet, exercise and, where needed, medication.

3.     Don’t ignore your blood sugar

Type 2 diabetes often develops slowly, and many men are living with pre-diabetes without knowing it. Caught at that stage, it can frequently be reversed. Caught late, it’s a serious lifelong condition.

4.     Watch your waist, not just the scales

Weight carried around the middle is the type most strongly linked to heart disease and diabetes. As a rough guide, your waist should be less than half your height.

5.     Be prostate aware

From the age of 45+, men should pay attention to their prostate health. Changes in urinary habits, getting up at night, or a weaker flow are all worth discussing, not ignoring.

6.     Check yourself

Testicular cancer is most common in younger men and is highly treatable when found early. A quick self-check once a month means you’ll notice any lump, swelling or change quickly.

7.     Take your mental health seriously

Men are far more likely to suffer in silence. Poor sleep, irritability, drinking more, and withdrawing from people are symptoms. Talking to someone or reaching out for support can make a huge difference. There is much more of a conversation around men’s mental health now, but we’ve still a long way to go.

8.     Pay attention to energy, sleep and drive

Persistent fatigue, poor sleep, low motivation or a drop in libido aren’t just ‘getting older’. They can point to thyroid problems, low testosterone or other hormonal issues, all of which can be tested for and easily treated.

9.     Be honest about alcohol

Drinking creeps up gradually and the amount of alcohol consumed in a week is routinely underestimated. Keeping within 14 units a week, with no alcohol days throughout the week, protects your liver, heart, sleep and mood.

10.  Don’t sit on changes

A persistent cough, a change in bowel habit or unexplained weight loss should always be checked. Your body is an incredibly smart machine and when it gives you small signs, listen to them.