Last Updated on 31 December 2023 by Brisbane Livewell Clinic
You may be surprised by some of the facts surrounding how Cardiovascular Disease affects women differently to men. With Cardiovascular disease (CVD) being the leading cause of death in Australian women,(1) it’s time to address the clear differences in the causes and treatment of heart disease for females compared to males.
Worldwide, over seven million women die from cardiovascular disease (CVD) annually.(2) Here in Australia, the underuse of screening for CVD risk may be a significant issue. One large Australian study indicated that women were screened for CVD risk factors 12% less than men. (3) There are, of course, some well established cardiovascular risk factors common to both men and women such as: (4) (5):
- smoking
- diabetes mellitus
- hypertension
- elevated total cholesterol
- unhealthy diet
- hypertension
Hormones In a Heartbeat
Yet there are also several elements seemingly exclusive to women in relation to CVD risk which appear to relate to reproductive hormones. The risks that are more unique to women appearing to be influenced by hormones include: (1)(4):
- early menarche
- early menopause
- menopausal hormone therapy
- history of hysterectomy
- use of hormonal contraceptives
- polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
Findings show that there are also several pregnancy-related risk factors for CVD which can involve: (1)(3):
- pre-term delivery
- pre-eclampsia
- gestational diabetes
- early age at first birth
- history of miscarriage
- history of stillbirth
What makes women tick
It’s important to educate women about some distinct differences relating to how they may experience a Myocardial Infarction (MI) – otherwise known as a heart attack. Emotional distress appears to be the more likely trigger of MI in women (compared to physical exercise for men). (3) More specifically, women seem to be more prone than men to experience certain symptoms of MI like: (3):
- shortness of breath
- nausea and/or vomiting
- back, shoulder or jaw pain
- anxiety
At the Heart of the Matter
Lifestyle choices are significant when it comes to keeping your heart healthy. One study cohort found that among women, a very low risk of coronary heart disease could be attributed to adherence to lifestyle guidelines alone. Diet, exercise and abstinence from smoking resulted in low risk in the women, while 82% of coronary events occurred when these practices were lacking.(6)
A message from the Heart
It appears that in Australia, women with heart disease, diabetes and hypertension are less likely to seek out Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM). (7) We’d like to see that change. With much of the research being done close to home, it’s time for Australian women to get serious about their heart health. Get a check up with your GP and then check in to see our Naturopaths for some tailored advice.
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