Do not think that heart attack is only a problem of the elderly. Unfortunately, the statistics show that despite a general decline in hospitalizations for severe cardiac ischemia, hospitalization for this cause of people under the age of 55 tends to increase. And not just among males. Women are also at risk, and not just in old age. For this reason, science is thinking more and more about a preventive gender approach, in order to limit the dangers, also because the elements that allow a perspective of this type are emerging.
A poker of factors
The reason? Men and women often have the classic risk factors which, however, could have a different weight in the two sexes. In this sense, an important novelty comes from research conducted by Yale University experts coordinated by Yuan Lu with Harlan M. Krumholzappeared on JAMA Network Open which outlines what are the risk factors related to juvenile heart attack and comes to define a “poker” of elements. For women, economic difficulties, diabetes, depression and hypertension should be kept under observation. These four risk factors specific ones seem to have a more significant weight in the female gender, according to what emerges from the research, always considering heart attacks at a young age.
Heart door
Stress increases the risk of heart attack: by two and a half times
by Federico Mereta
November 13, 2021
The 7 risk factors
The research examined data from 2,264 acute myocardial infarction patients from the VIRGO (Variation in Recovery: Role of Gender on Outcomes of Young Acute Myocardial Infarction Patients) study and 2,264 population-based controls matched for age, gender and race by the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES).
What emerges from the survey? Seven risk factors – including diabetes, depression, hypertension or high blood pressure, smoking, family history of heart attack, low family income, and high cholesterol – have been associated with an increased risk of ischemia in women. But beware: under the age of 55 diabetes would have the lion’s share as an element of danger for the heart, followed closely by being a smoker, having high blood pressure and a dark mood. Poor economic wealth would also count a lot, while the weight of family predisposition would be less significant.
The men
For males, on the other hand, this element together with smoking would be more easily associated as a risk factor with the onset of a heart attack in the under-55s. The survey offers a new vision of cardiological prevention: it is necessary to focus on tailor-made strategies, and from an early age, also focusing attention on areas such as the economic-social one that are sometimes not considered enough.
The study methodologically represents a new approach to prevention due to its modalities. But it offers important indications for countering a certainly worrying trend. In the face of the global decline in hospitalizations for heart attacks, the percentage of young people hospitalized for cardiac ischemia is growing. And among young women, in the US, about 5% of total heart attacks are observed.
Heart door
Breastfeeding protects women’s hearts from heart attacks
by Federico Mereta
January 16, 2022
A gender medicine
In short, there is a need to think more about gender when it comes to cardiovascular disease, removing from the mind the idea that it is “male” diseases. “The analysis of the VIRGO study confirms how traditional risk factors can be enhanced in their negative effects on the cardiovascular health of women, by the interaction with multiple gender-specific and psycho-social factors – confirms Daniela Trabattoni, director of the Women Heart Center at the Monzino Cardiology Center. The well-being of the heart is possible through the “care” of the person as a whole who therefore must also take into account the family, work and psychological environmental situation. These elements were also highlighted in our experience of Monzino Women Heart Center, confirming the importance of information and education to obtain effective prevention “.
Female hormones
Let me be clear. In the mosaic of knowledge it is still necessary to deepen some aspects, related to female biology and physiology. There are specific elements such as changes in hormone rates in fertile life and with the advent of menopause as well as pregnancies that can affect cardiovascular well-being in some way. But gender prevention, with attention also to the social as well as medical conditions of women, must be at the heart of the commitment of cardiology.
Heart of a woman, tips to keep it healthy
by Federico Mereta
08 February 2022
