Modern Fatherhood Is Changing And So Is Men’s Approach to Self-Care
Dr Joshua Loh was recently featured in The Wellness Insider, sharing his insights on men’s health and preventive heart care. This article was published on 19 June 2026.
Father’s Day is a good time to celebrate what dads do. It is also a good time to ask: when did you last check on your own heart?
According to Dr Joshua Loh, Senior Consultant Interventional Cardiologist and Medical Director at Capital Heart Centre, most fathers are not ignoring their health on purpose. The problem is that the conditions most likely to harm them give very little warning.
“Many fathers naturally devote a great deal of their time and energy to their work and family responsibilities. In doing so, their own health can sometimes take a lower priority,” says Dr Loh.
High blood pressure, elevated cholesterol and diabetes are among the most common contributors to heart disease in men. All three can develop gradually over many years without any noticeable symptoms. By the time a man feels something is wrong, the condition may already be significantly more advanced.
This is why Dr Loh emphasises preventive heart health for men in their 40s and 50s, before any red flags appear.
The Weekend Warrior Problem
One pattern Dr Loh sees regularly is what he calls the “weekend warrior” approach: men who are largely sedentary through the week, then push hard through intense exercise on weekends or sign up for demanding fitness events without progressively building up their fitness first.
While the intent is positive, the approach carries real risk.
“Sustainable fitness tends to produce better long-term outcomes than sporadic bursts of intense activity,” he says. “Recovery, sleep, nutrition, gradual progression and understanding your individual health profile are just as important as the workout itself.”
What Fathers Can Do Now
Understanding key health indicators, including blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar levels, gives men a clearer picture of their cardiovascular health before problems arise.
“Do not wait for symptoms before paying attention to your health,” says Dr Loh. “Many of the conditions that contribute to heart disease can develop quietly over many years.”
The best thing a father can do for his family this year may simply be to book that health screening he has been putting off.
This article was originally featured in The Wellness Insider. Read the full feature here.