Here are four elements that can promote the occurrence of a heart attack in women.
- In France, cardiovascular diseases represent the leading cause of death among women of all ages.
- In order to counter this phenomenon, three specialists have listed the risk factors for heart attacks specific to women.
- “It is also essential to be familiar with the classic factors such as high blood pressure, smoking, diabetes, excess bad cholesterol and a sedentary lifestyle, because they are the basis for heart attacks,” they also added.
During a press conference organized by the FFC (French Federation of Cardiology)specialists have listed the risk factors that can trigger a heart attack in women.
“We must make known the risk factors for heart attacks specific to women to better monitor them” explain firstly the cardiologist Anne-Laure Laprerie, the cardiologist Gérard Helft and the co-president of the commission “Heart of Women” Loan Vo Duy.
1/ Hormones.
“First of all, the role of hormones is decisive in the cardiovascular health of women,” they continue. Before menopause, female hormones such as estrogen protect women against cardiovascular disease. They reduce the “bad” cholesterol and increase “Good” cholesterol, thus preserving blood vessels. But this protection decreases with hormonal contraception and then disappears with menopause. “Thus, periods of hormonal transitions such as pregnancy and menopause play a key role and can induce changes, for example by accentuating existing disorders such as hypertension and thus increasing the risk of having a heart attack,” underline the experts.
2/ Contraception.
“The use of certain hormonal contraceptives which contain both estrogen and progestin are also associated with an increased risk of thrombosis and therefore heart attack, especially in women who smoke or are over 35 years old,” they add.
3/ History of thrombosis.
Still on the subject of thrombosis and the heart attack that can result from it, health professionals invite women to find out about their family history. “Women who have a personal or family history of thrombosis should discuss with their doctor the safest contraceptive options for them”they estimate.
4/ Stress.
Finally, Anne-Laure Laprerie, Gérard Helft and Loan Vo Duy indicate that stress can also lead to a heart attack in women who experience it on a daily basis. “Often putting the needs of your family before your own can take a toll on your health…” they call out. “The stress that can result not only depletes energy, it also plays a crucial role for the heart and would contribute to increasing the risk of cardiovascular complications by 40%. It acts by promoting hypertension, excess cholesterol or obesity”, they detail.
To conclude, specialists have also highlighted risk factors for heart attacks that are not specific to women. “It is essential to be well aware of the classic factors such as high blood pressure, smoking, diabetes, excess bad cholesterol and a sedentary lifestyle, because they create the basis for heart attacks,” they finish.
In France, cardiovascular diseases represent the leading cause of death among women of all ages.
