High
cholesterol and high blood pressure are the biggest risk factors of heart
disease. Adopting a healthy lifestyle including regular physical activity and
healthy eating can help in managing these factors. But there are some risk
factors that cannot be changed, and our discussion today will revolve around
this.
Cardiovascular
disease can lead to life-threatening cardiac emergencies like a cardiac arrest
or heart attack. A victim can only survive if he receives immediate treatment.
The most appropriate form of treatment in this regard is proper application of
the life-saving CPR techniques. The procedures comprise chest compressions and
rescue breaths. Always select a certified training center to sign up for a CPR class Tampa. If you belong to the
Tampa region in Florida, you can enroll for a program at the AHA certified CPR
Tampa. Both theoretical and practical training are imparted to the students.
Major heart
disease risk factors that cannot be changed:
Age- The risk is higher for older people with women after
menopause being at an increased risk of both cardiovascular disease and stroke.
Family History- An individual is at an increased risk
if a close family member (a parent or a sibling) has experienced heart disease,
stroke or TIA (Transient ischemic attack or mini-stroke) at an early age.
Women who have had
pre-eclampsia during pregnancy have an increased risk.
Personal Circumstances- Personal circumstances and
environmental factors can have a huge impact on your health which includes
things such as access to healthy food, safe drinking water, health services and
social services.
South Asian or African Heritage- People of African or South Asian
heritage are at a higher risk which can be because of their likeliness to have
high blood pressure (hypertension), diabetes or other risk factors at a younger
age.
Some of the risk factors in women:
Most women
are unaware of the life-threatening emergencies that cardiovascular disease
causes. In fact, most women in USA have at least one risk factor. Women who
have diabetes, come from certain ethnic backgrounds or are menopausal are even
more at risk. It is
important for every woman to know about their risk factors and recognize the
signs for heart disease and stroke in order to prevent and manage them
effectively.
Significance of Estrogen- Estrogen is a natural occurring
hormone which provides a protective effect on women's heart health during a
woman’s reproductive life cycle. However, estrogen's protective effect can
change depending on a variety of factors and conditions.
Pregnancy- Women may develop certain conditions
that put them at higher risk of cardiovascular disease and stroke over the nine
months duration.
1. Pre-eclampsia
is a condition that typically starts after the 20th week of pregnancy. It is
related to increased blood pressure and protein in the mother's urine. High
blood pressure and obesity prior to pregnancy makes a woman prone to this
condition.
2. The risk of a pregnancy-related stroke can happen at any stage of pregnancy with
a high-risk time being during childbirth and the first few months after birth.
3. Peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM) is a rare form of cardiomyopathy that occurs in
pregnant women and recent mothers which causes the heart to become larger
around the time of delivery. This enlargement weakens the heart muscle and
makes pumping blood more difficult.
Menopause- It is the time when a woman stops
having menstrual cycles. The risk of stroke and cardiovascular disease
increases after menopause.
Women who
are taking estrogen as part of Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) have an
increased risk of stroke and myocardial infarction.
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