Cardiovascular diseases in women: a growing problem
Cardiovascular disease is a growing problem in women and the figures are worrying: they are more than 170,000 deaths a yearaccording to DataSUS (three times more than fatal cases of breast cancer). Among the most common diseases are acute myocardial infarction (AMI), stroke, heart failure and arrhythmia.
Cardiovascular diseases include the following factors modifiable riskThese include smoking, high blood pressure, diabetes, a sedentary lifestyle, obesity and high cholesterol levels. On the other side are non-modifiable risksThese include genetic inheritance, gender, ethnicity and age. For this reason, it is essential for prevention to analyze the life cycle of women and its impact on the development of cardiovascular diseases.
In 2022, the Brazilian Society of Cardiology (SBC) published the Position on Cardiovascular Health in WomenThe document details the hormonal changes in adolescence, the beginning of the contraceptive use period, pregnancy, postpartum and even the climacteric and menopause phases. The document also highlights socio-economic status as a determining factor in the onset of these diseases (low-income women face more challenges and are more prone to obesity and high cholesterol, for example, due to the lack of initiatives aimed at improving health knowledge).
Pregnancy this is a time of significant changes in hormone levels, with a tendency for gestational hypertension to appear - with a chance of developing into systemic hypertension. In the postpartum periodThere are glycemic changes and difficulty reducing weight. During the menopauseAs a result, the protective factor of estrogen is lost, leaving the system more vulnerable to heart attacks.
In addition, at all stages, the stress levels caused by a new routine model are added to the burden of housework and a professional career, compromising quality of life. These challenges cause the body's defenses to release hormones such as adrenaline and noradrenaline, leading to a reduction in the caliber of blood vessels, spasms of the coronary arteries, increased blood pressure and heart rate.
And there's more: contrary to what many people think, cardiovascular disease is not just a problem for the elderly. According to studies by the Brazilian Society of Cardiology, the prevalence of these diseases is much higher among women between the ages of 15 and 49. There is a distortion of the idea that women take more care of themselves and go to the doctor more often. This happens more with gynecological exams and not when we talk about other specialties, such as cardiology.
That's why it's important to maintain care and attention from early childhood, building healthy nutritional behavior by encouraging food intake in natura and preparing their own meals, as well as, of course, encouraging physical activity.
Now that you know that visits to the cardiologist and routine examinations should be more frequent, you should know about a very important initiative: Biolab Farmacêutica has the Together for Them" campaignwhich promotes a new approach to women's health care, from reception, diagnosis, treatment and prevention!
In order to adopt a healthier lifestyle, we've highlighted a few habits to include in your daily routine:
- Frequent physical activity helps reduce blood pressure, body weight and blood clotting. Walking for 30 minutes at least three times a week is a great benefit for the heart
- Maintain a healthy diet, with low fat intake and a variety of vegetables, leaves and legumes
- Avoid excessive consumption of sugar, pasta, bread and processed foods
- Reduce your intake of alcoholic beverages
Prevention is the key to fighting cardiovascular disease. That's why you should see a doctor who will thoroughly investigate your health and understand the particularities of your lifestyle, so that you can create a routine of care aimed at improving your quality of life and longevity!