Men & Women have different risk factors, symptoms and types of heart attacks and heart disease: why do they receive the same advice?
An Australian study has found that despite having different risk factors, symptoms and types of heart attacks and heart disease, men and women currently receive the same broad advice.
Historically, guidelines for heart health have been based on studies mainly looking at men, even though heart attacks are the number-one killer of women globally, with approximately a third of women dying from heart disease. In New Zealand, more than 55 women die from heart disease every week.
The main risk factors (smoking, elevated cholesterol, high blood pressure, diabetes) apply equally to both sexes. However, women face additional risk factors including pre-eclampsia, high blood pressure during pregnancy and gestational diabetes, all of which increase a women’s risk of heart disease later in life. Menopause can also have an effect on a woman’s risk
with the onset of menopause and the drop in oestrogen levels, women lose a protective factor and acquire the same risk as men.
When people typically think of the signs of a heart attack they picture chest pain; a woman is more likely to experience shortness of breath or stomach pain. The heart foundation has further information on heart attack symptoms in women.
The types of heart attack can be different for men and women too. Instead of cholesterol-based blockages people can suffer spontaneous coronary artery dissection, where the heart tears. This type of heart attack occurs more frequently in women at a ratio of four to one.
When it comes to heart health, treatment advice can be different too – a recent study has shown that a half dose of medication can be beneficial for women and reduce adverse side effects.
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