The Impact of Pregnancy and Hormonal Life Cycle on Women’s Cardiovascular Health and Life Expectancy
The Impact of Pregnancy on Women’s Cardiovascular Health: A Call for Gender-Specific Approaches
Recent research has shed light on the significant impacts of pregnancy and the hormonal life cycle on women’s cardiovascular health and life expectancy. However, the research in this area remains incomplete and limited, leaving a gap in understanding how women are negatively affected.
According to U.S. Air Force Col. (Dr.) Travis Batts, chief of cardiology at Wilford Hall Ambulatory Surgical Center, Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas, women are less likely to receive guideline-recommended drug therapy and invasive management of heart disease compared to men. This disparity highlights the need for a more focused approach to women’s cardiovascular health.
As the average age of first-time mothers in the United States increases, so does the likelihood of cardiovascular risk factors, emphasizing the importance of pre-pregnancy cardiovascular assessments to lower risks. Additionally, there has been a concerning trend of increasing heart disease, specifically heart attack rates among younger women ages 30 to 50, underscoring the need for prompt recognition and treatment of heart attack symptoms in women of all ages.
One key issue highlighted by Dr. Batts is the difference in heart attack symptoms between men and women. Women often experience symptoms other than the typical chest pain and left arm pain seen in men. Symptoms such as pain between the shoulder blades, abdominal pain, and nausea are more common in women, leading to potential delays in seeking treatment.
Research suggests that women may experience symptoms for several weeks before a heart attack, making it crucial for women to seek medical care promptly when experiencing symptoms. Despite having more symptomatic chest pain than men, women are less likely to receive timely and appropriate care, leading to longer wait times when seeking emergency care for heart attacks.
In light of these findings, Dr. Batts emphasizes the need for personalized medical care to reduce differences in care and improve outcomes for all individuals at risk of heart disease. Gender-specific approaches in the diagnosis, treatment, and management of heart disease are essential to addressing the unique needs of women and reducing disparities in care.
Ultimately, the key to improving heart health for both women and men lies in taking all symptoms seriously, asking questions about heart health, and getting screened yearly for heart disease risk factors. By raising awareness of the impact of pregnancy on women’s cardiovascular health and advocating for gender-specific approaches in care, we can work towards better outcomes for women at risk of heart disease.