In continuation with the previous year’s theme of heart health home, World Heart Federation gave this year’s theme the same, that is, ‘ One World, One Home, One Heart ‘. The focus this year will be the prevention of CVDS (heart problems) of women and children.
There are several misconceptions prevalent that I assume that women are less likely to suffer from heart disease than men. The fact, however, is that women are suffering from heart diseases as much as men, although in old age. The World Heart Federation goes to say that the disease is the number one killer of women, causing 1 in 3 women’s deaths, which amounts to about one death per minute.
Children are also at risk of developing heart disease, due to a number of risk factors. There is an increasing incidence of congenital heart disease among children in India. Children are also at risk of developing heart disease because of bad fat unhealthy diet constituent and sugar, tobacco use, physical activity and obesity.
This day in the heart of the world, know the facts about heart disease and bust myths wherever and whenever you can!
Risk factors for heart disease in women
Tobacco use: women are more at risk of suffering from a heart problem than men due to the use of tobacco.
High triglycerides levels: women suffer from arteriosclerosis due to elevated levels of triglycerides.
Diabetes, obesity and depression: the triple deterrents to good health, namely, diabetes, obesity and depression are more common among women than men.
Other risks: some other common risk factors with men are high blood pressure, total cholesterol, low HDL cholesterol, unhealthy diet, Hyperlipidemia, physical inactivity and stress.
Exclusive: risk factors some risk factors that affect exclusively women are using contraceptives, hormone replacement therapy after menopause and polycystic ovary syndrome. In addition, the risk of a heart attack among women is highest at the beginning of each menstrual cycle.
Non-modifiable risk factors: some of the common non-modifiable risk factors for men and women are advancing in age, heredity and ethnicity.
Some facts about women and heart disease
Women are suffering from heart problems about 10 years later than men, possibly because of the protective effect of estrogen. The risk of a heart attack increases significantly in women after menopause, when levels of LDL cholesterol and triglyceride levels begin to increase and the HDL cholesterol level starts to drop.
Most women, the typical chest pain syndrome do not occur while suffering a heart attack.
Mortality among younger women, caused by a heart attack is greater than men of the same age, although less severe narrowing in the blood vessels, heart attacks smaller and more stored blood pressure.
Women who smoke are at increased risk of developing hypertension (high blood pressure). Those who are at high risk have a risk of heart attack 7 to 20 times compared with those who are at risk.
Women who have suffered from gestational diabetes, miscarriage, pregnancy-induced hypertension or preeclampsia are at a higher risk of having a heart attack at a young age.
Women suffering from diabetes or depression have a mortality rate twice by CVD, and if diabetes and depression are present the rate jumps to 5 times.