Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is an important cause of mortality in Malaysian women in general. In fact, heart disease is the leading cause of death among women in the world than all cancers combined.
We at Natural Health would like to spread awareness on heart disease for our readers. It’s time for you to check on your heart health and change to the healthier lifestyle.
According to the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), only about half of women recognize heart disease as the number one killer of women. It is saddening that many women still don’t realise about this fact and take it lightly. In fact, many women and even healthcare professionals have the misconception that CVD is not a woman’s disease and it only affects men. You might need to change your perception and take a look at these eight causes of heart disease before it’s too late.
High blood pressure
Having consistently high blood pressure causes the coronary arteries to slowly become narrowed from the build-up of fat, cholesterol and other substances that are called as plaque. The process of build-up plaque is known as atherosclerosis.
As the arteries harden with plaque, blood clots become more likely to form. Once the artery that is serving the heart becomes blocked due to the accumulation of plaque or a blood clot, the flow of blood through the heart muscle is interrupted – oxygen and nutrients flow will get disturbed. Hence, this situation will result in a heart attack that may lead to death. It is important to note that high blood pressure can increase the risk of heart attack as well as stroke.
High total blood cholesterol
Cholesterol is necessary for the formal functioning of the body, but it is only required in a certain amount. High level of cholesterol is extremely dangerous and if a blood cholesterol reading is high, it usually means Low-Density Lipoprotein (LDL) level or known as bad cholesterol are high. LDL can build up in arteries making the arteries passage narrower and harder for blood to flow through. Clogged arteries may result in a lack of oxygen to the heart which leads to a heart attack.
Smoking
Smoking damages the lining of your arteries, leading to a build-up of atheroma – small fatty lumps that consist of debris and macrophage cells that develop inside the arteries which narrow the arteries. This can cause angina, heart attack or even stroke.
The carbon monoxide in tobacco smoke reduces the amount of oxygen in your blood. This scenario making your heart has to pump harder to supply the whole body with the oxygen it needs. Nicotine in cigarettes stimulates your body to produce adrenaline, which makes your heart beat faster and raises your blood pressure. Your heart needs to work harder to pump more oxygen and it’s dangerous for your health. Women who both smoke and take the contraceptive pill are at an even greater risk of CVD.
Diabetes
According to the American Diabetes Association, people with diabetes who have high blood pressure are two to four times more likely to die of heart disease or have a stroke than people who don’t have the condition.
The high glucose in the bloodstream can damage the arteries, causing them to become stiff and hard. So, diabetes is a major factor in developing CVD and increased weight often accompanies type 2 diabetes. This is another factor which increases a woman’s risk of developing CVD.
Ageing
The natural process of ageing is associated with the deterioration in function of the heart and vasculature that likely contribute to the development of CVD including high blood pressure, high cholesterol, heart disease and also heart failure.
A decline in the natural hormone estrogens may be a factor in heart disease increase among post-menopausal women. Estrogens are believed to have a positive effect on the inner layer of the artery wall, helping to keep blood vessels flexible. As you age, the estrogens level will be lessening and the possibility to get CVD will be higher.
Obesity
Obesity is normally intertwined with multiple health conditions that underlie CVD including high blood pressure, diabetes and high blood cholesterol. Excess weight, especially around the stomach area increases a woman’s risk of developing CVD and lack of physical activity makes it worse.
Excess weight couple with unbalanced diet is not a healthy lifestyle. You are at higher risk of getting CVD if you constantly munching on fast food, processed food, snacks and couple with inactive physical activity.
Family history
If you aware that your family has a history of heart disease, then it’s the best indicator of whether you have an increased risk of developing CVD. Genes can pass on the risk of CVD and also responsible for passing on other conditions such as high blood pressure. Having a family history of CVD is a risk factor that you can’t change. However, you can change your lifestyle to minimise your risk of getting heart disease.
Depression
Studies have shown that people with depression develop heart disease at higher rates than the general population. About one in five who have a heart attack are found to have depression soon after the heart attack. People who are suffering from the CVD have more depression than the general population.
What are the symptoms?
There are many different types of CVD. Symptoms will vary, depending on the specific type of disease a patient has. However, typical symptoms of an underlying cardiovascular issue include:
- Pains or pressure in the chest, which may indicate angina
- Pain or discomfort in the arms, the left shoulder, elbows, jaw, or back
- Shortness of breath, also known as dyspnea
- Nausea and fatigue
- Light-headed or faint
- Cold sweat
Depression and heart disease are the common companions and each can lead to the other. People who are suffering from depression are more likely to develop CVD and also have a higher mortality rate. It is said that the severe the depression, the higher the subsequent risk of mortality and other cardiovascular events.
Depression can lead to a number of changes in your body that can increase your risk of developing heart disease. Too much stress, consistently feeling sad or both may elevate your blood pressure.
Make a few small changes to your lives
A few small changes are all you needed to live longer, better and more heart-healthy lives. Visit your healthcare professional now and ask for a few simple checks. If you already have the classic symptoms, seek medical help immediately.
References
www.heart.org
www.moh.gov.my
