Unveiling the Hidden Danger: Why Women Face a Higher Risk of Heart Disease and How You Can Protect Your Heart
Researchers Amy Huebschmann and Judith Regensteiner from the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus highlight significant genetic and gender-based differences in heart disease. Contrary to common belief, heart disease manifests differently across sexes due to genetic factors like having two X chromosomes versus one X and one Y chromosome. These distinctions impact more than just biological characteristics, influencing how cardiovascular diseases develop and present clinically.
Notably, women often have distinct heart attack symptoms such as nausea, jaw pain, and fatigue, and are more likely to die from a heart attack or stroke compared to men. Menopause can dramatically increase cardiovascular risk in women, and Type 2 diabetes can equalize risk levels between premenopausal women and men.
The issue is compounded by historical biases in medical research and practice. Medical guidelines frequently rely on studies with predominantly male participants, leading to gaps in evidence for treating women and gender-diverse individuals. Gender biases among healthcare providers often result in women receiving less aggressive testing and treatment for heart disease.
Cardiovascular disease also manifests differently anatomically. Women are more likely to experience chest pain due to multiple narrowed, but not fully clogged, arteries, resulting in conditions like ischemia. In contrast, men are more prone to having arteries blocked in specific areas that are treatable with stents or surgery. Furthermore, early heart attack markers are less pronounced in women, leading to more frequent missed diagnoses.
The researchers emphasize an urgent need for sex-specific medical guidelines and tailored treatments to improve health outcomes. Efforts such as the Biden administration’s order to boost women’s health research support advancing this cause. By adopting more precise diagnostic tools like sex-specific high-sensitivity troponin tests, healthcare providers can more accurately diagnose and treat heart disease in women, helping to close the gender gap in cardiac care.
Original Story https://nenow.in/lifestyle/women-are-at-a-higher-risk-of-dying-from-heart-disease-know-why.html
Category : Health,Lifestyle
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Publish Date: 2024-10-27 06:30:00
