Angina pectoris, heart failure, arrhythmia, high blood pressure, coronary heart disease, peripheral arterial disease, heart valve disorders, venous thrombosis, pulmonary embolisms, myocardial infarction and stroke are some of the main cardiovascular diseases or CVDs.
They are disorders of the heart and blood vessels, which can deteriorate and limit a person’s life and even end their existence, by reducing their physical, neurological and intellectual abilities, when there is a reduction or obstruction of blood flow due to clots. or injuries to veins or arteries.
Cardiovascular diseases are related to the death of one in three women a year and are the first cause of death in the female population, above any type of cancer, according to data from the Women’s Heart Movement, MCM (https ://corazondemujer.org).
80% of cardiovascular events related to these CVDs could be avoided if prevention is taken and the specific risk factors that affect women are taken into account, they highlight.
The MCM, promoted by the SOLOmed Foundation, is directed by cardiologist Leticia Fernández-Friera, founder of ATRIA Clinic and is inspired by the ‘Go Red for Women’ initiative of the American Heart Association (AHA), which has managed to reduce by more female cardiovascular mortality in the United States is 30%, as they explain.
“CVDs, including strokes, are associated with the death of a woman every six minutes in Europe and every 60 seconds in the US, with mortality being 20% higher in women than in men,” explains Dr. Fernández. Fiera.
“The differences between both sexes, in terms of cardiovascular diseases, have traditionally been ignored. There is still a lack of recognition of the particularities and treatments of CVDs in women, who are underrepresented in clinical research trials and have a mortality rate associated with a first heart attack that is up to 20% higher than that of men,” she points out.
Dr. Fernández-Friera describes some of the main female cardiovascular risk factors, related to lifestyle, age and different health problems, so that women can be aware of them, minimize them and prevent them through healthy habits and specific measures, which They are recommended by the MCM.
Risk factors and preventive recommendations.
1.- Diabetes.
High blood sugar levels can damage blood vessels. Because of this, diabetic women may be at greater risk of high blood pressure, high cholesterol or triglyceride levels, and heart failure.
It is recommended to reduce and even eliminate sugars and refined carbohydrates from the diet to control blood sugar levels and promote proper functioning of blood vessels. It is also advisable to improve metabolic control, reducing excess weight and practicing physical exercise.
2.- Smoking.
Female smokers have up to 25% higher risk of heart disease than male smokers, according to the American Heart Association (AHA).
Tobacco use can increase triglyceride levels, lower HDL (good) cholesterol, damage or narrow blood vessel cells, increase blood pressure, and increase the risk of clots or blood clots.
It is recommended to eliminate the tobacco habit, since when a person stops smoking, their risk of heart disease and stroke can be reduced by half in a year and continue to decrease thereafter, until it is as low as that of a non-smoker.
3.- Obesity.
Excess weight increases the possibility of suffering from cardiovascular disease; It is in itself a major risk factor for coronary heart disease, heart failure, atrial fibrillation, ventricular arrhythmias and sudden death; and it is also a causal factor of hypertension or type 2 diabetes mellitus. Weight loss will reduce the risk of heart disease.
It is advisable to follow eating habits such as: choosing establishments with healthy foods when eating away from home; serve small portions; eat slowly, cook food in the oven, roast or boil; and read food labels carefully to reduce the consumption of saturated fats and sugars, in addition to drinking a good amount of water.
4.- Sedentary lifestyle.
Lack of physical activity carries different health risks and cardiovascular diseases, increasing the chances of blood clots, high blood pressure, heart attacks, strokes and other heart problems.
Physical exercise is recommended, given that, for every hour of an activity that requires moving the body to burn calories, performed regularly, life expectancy increases; and with 30 minutes of daily exercise, you contribute to having a healthy heart.
Greater regular physical activity, from moderate to intense, allows us to control the main cause of death in women, by reducing the risk of heart disease by 30-40% and that of stroke by 25%.
5.- Dislipemia.
The accumulation of LDL (bad) cholesterol and triglycerides in the blood increases fatty deposits in the arteries and the risk of blockages.
The best way to reduce cholesterol is to reduce your intake of saturated fats and ‘trans’ fats.
The AHA recommends limiting saturated fat to less than 6% of your daily calorie intake, including red meat, dairy products made with whole milk, fried foods, and sugary drinks.
On the other hand, it advises increasing the consumption of fruits, vegetables, poultry, fish and nuts, among others.
6.- Hypertension (HTA).
Circumstances such as pregnancy, contraceptives or changes in a woman’s body close to menopause can have an impact on her high blood pressure. Additionally, the risk will be higher if the woman is overweight or has a family history of high blood pressure.
To reduce this risk factor, it is recommended to follow a healthy eating pattern, engage in daily physical activity, and maintain a healthy weight.
7.- Menopause.
The drop in estrogen that women suffer at this stage of life can increase the risk of cardiovascular disease, since cholesterol levels tend to increase, as well as diabetes, obesity or hypertension.
It is recommended to maintain a healthy lifestyle, stop smoking, avoid alcohol consumption and practice daily physical exercise.
Other risk factors for female heart disease are autoimmune diseases, such as lupus; some breast cancer treatments, such as radiation therapy; and preterm pregnancy, when the woman gives birth prematurely, concludes the Women’s Heart Movement.
Pablo Gutman.
EFE – Reports
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