Do women have unique risk factors for heart disease?
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Johns Hopkins Medicine answered:There are heart disease risk factors that are unique or more prevalent among women, according to recent studies more focused on women’s health. These risk factors include:
- Relatively high testosterone levels prior to menopause
- Increased hypertension during menopause
- Autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis (more common among women)
- Stress and depression (also more common in women than men)
- Low risk factor awareness, which can prevent early diagnosis of cardiovascular disease.
Women should still be aware of the risk factors they share with men, including:
- Obesity
- Smoking – can have a greater impact on heart disease risk for women than men, according to the Society for Women’s Health Research (SWHR)
- Diabetes
- High blood pressure
- Family history of cardiovascular disease
- Metabolic syndrome – the combination of high blood pressure, obesity (especially abdominal fat), and high glucose and triglyceride levels
- High levels of C-reactive protein – a sign of inflammatory disease that can occur together with other cardiovascular risk factors
There are heart disease risk factors that are unique or more prevalent among women, according to recent studies more focused on women’s health. These risk factors include: Relatively high testosterone levels prior to menopause Increased... More -
SCAI answered:Many of the risk factors for heart disease are the same in women and men; however, key differences do exist. Some risk factors are within our power to take control over and others we cannot change.
Risk Factors You Cannot Control
- Increasing age (including menopausal changes)
- Gender
- Family history of heart disease (which includes ethnicity)
- Smoking and using other tobacco products
- High cholesterol levels
- High blood pressure
- Diabetes (Heart disease risk in women with diabetes is higher than for men.)
- Physical inactivity
- Being overweight or obese (Women who carry weight in their midsection have a higher risk of heart disease.)
- Metabolic syndrome, which is three or more of the following: high triglycerides, low levels of the “good” (HDL) cholesterol, high blood sugar, high blood pressure or an above-average waistline
- Stress
- High levels of C-reactive protein (an indicator for inflammation)
Many of the risk factors for heart disease are the same in women and men; however, key differences do exist. Some risk factors are within our power to take control over and others we cannot change.Risk Factors You Cannot Control Increasing age... More -
Baptist Health South Florida answered:Other heart disease risk factors in women are smoking, diabetes, and high blood pressure. Inactivity and unhealthy weight increase risk, too. Especially high or low cholesterol levels can also cause heart problems. LDL or bad cholesterol levels need to be low, and HDL or good cholesterol levels need to be higher. It is important to know your numbers so that you can work toward improved heart health.
Other heart disease risk factors in women are smoking, diabetes, and high blood pressure. Inactivity and unhealthy weight increase risk, too. Especially high or low cholesterol levels can also cause heart problems. LDL or bad cholesterol levels need... More -
Dr. Alan Seifer of Baptist Health South Florida answered:Over the past several decades, there has been a significant reduction in heart disease deaths in men, but such reductions for women have lagged behind. More women then men die of heart disease every year, but the risk factors for both men and women are much the same.
The risk factors remain high LDL and low HDL cholesterol levels, diabetes, high blood pressure, smoking and family history.
The biggest problem is that many women don’t make the connection between risk factors and their own risk for developing heart disease. It is estimated that one in three women have some form of cardiovascular disease.
Moreover, heart disease patterns differ for women, and sometimes are harder to detect. When appropriate, hormone replacement therapy should be considered only for menopausal symptoms since it does not prevent heart disease.Over the past several decades, there has been a significant reduction in heart disease deaths in men, but such reductions for women have lagged behind. More women then men die of heart disease every year, but the risk factors for both men and... More
