Check on your boys.
Start with yourself.
I am an ER doctor. Too many of the men I see waited too long: the chest pressure they called heartburn, the screening they kept putting off. This is a short, honest guide for men and the friends who look out for them.
Three things every man should do this year
Know your numbers
Blood pressure, blood sugar, cholesterol and weight. Most men who have high blood pressure feel fine.
Book the screening
Colon screening starts at 45 for most men. The one you skip is the one that matters. See your list.
Do not tough out warning signs
Chest pressure, sudden weakness, the worst headache of your life. Those are 911 calls, not wait-and-see. The list.
Your boys are part of your health plan
I meet weekly with a group of men, and I have spoken to them about longevity and AI in healthcare. The research matches what I see in that room: men with real friendships live longer, recover faster and ask for help sooner.
Text a friend this week. Ask how he is really doing, then listen.
If a friend is not okay
If he talks about not wanting to be here, ask directly, stay with him, and call or text 988 together. In danger right now, call 911.
Get back up, and count the wins
Comeback plan
Layoff, divorce, retirement or a health scare. One page, one first step this week.
Build my planWho I am
Harvey Castro, MD, MBA: board-certified emergency physician, healthcare AI keynote speaker and author. Many people know me as DR GPT™.
Why "Tha Boys"
Because the men who get healthier usually do it together. Bring your boys.
Written and medically reviewed by Harvey Castro, MD, MBA, board-certified emergency physician. Last reviewed October 25, 2026.