Cardiovascular Diseases

Find out what cardiovascular diseases are and what can increase the risk of such diseases in women.Estrogen has a protective effect on cardiovascular disease in women, but during menopause this estrogen levels decreases thus making women susceptible to cardiovascular diseases. After menopause, women are more prone to heart diseases. In this articleWhat are cardiovascular diseases?Does menopause increase the risk of heart diseases?How does menopause increase the risk of heart diseases?Do women run a greater risk of heart diseases than men?What is the role of the estrogen in preventing heart diseases?What are the other risk factors for cardiovascular diseases?What are various treatment options for cardiovascular diseases?What are cardiovascular diseases?Cardiovascular diseases are the diseases that affect blood vessels or heart. Such diseases include diseases like heart attack, stroke, heart failure, rheumatic heart disease, congenital heart disease, valvular heart disease, venous thrombosis, heart arrhythmia, cardiomyopathy, carditis, aortic aneurysms, hypertensive heart disease, peripheral artery disease, thromboembolic disease etc.Does menopause increase the risk of heart diseases?Before menopause, heart diseases are uncommon in women who do not smoke, do not have hypertension, hyperlipidaemia (excessive saturated fats in their blood) or diabetes. It is five times more common in men than in pre-menopausal women but once menopause has occurred, the risk of heart disease in women approaches that in men, suggesting a role for the menopausing in this changed risk.The etiology of heart disease is complex and incompletely understood. However, several studies on the effect of premature menopause on the incidence of heart diseases suggest that earlier the cessation of ovarian function occurs greater the risk of cardiovascular diseases. A role for estrogen deficiency in the etiology of this disease is strongly suggestive.How does menopause increase the risk of heart diseases?High plasma levels of High-Density Lipoprotein (HDL) concentrations protect the heart (cardio-protective), whilst those of Low-Density Lipoprotein (LDL) concentrations increase the risk of heart disease. Before menopause, serum LDL levels are lower and HDL levels are higher. But after menopause, LDL levels increase significantly, and thereby increase the risk of heart diseases.Do women run a greater risk of heart diseases than men?No. Before menopause, serum LDL levels are lower in women than in men, and serum HDL levels are higher. Following menopause, LDL levels in women rise but do not exceed the levels in age-matched men.What is the role of the estrogen in preventing heart diseases?Estrogen in pre-menopausal women has a protective effect on cardiovascular disease, probably mediated through its effect on the HDL:LDL ratio. But estrogen may work in other ways such as by a direct effect on blood vessels or by stimulating direct effect on blood flow in organs such as the skin, uterus, vulva and kidneys.What are the other risk factors for cardiovascular diseases?Listed below are the other factors that increase the risk of cardiovascular diseases.Excessive alcohol consumptionConsumption of tobaccoObesitySedentary lifestyleUnhealthy eating habitsGenetic make-up Family historyExposure to excessive pollutionHigh blood pressureHigh blood sugarSleep disordersAlthough, one cannot do anything about the risk factors like family history and genetic make-up, it is possible to deal with many of the other risk factors by bringing about healthy changes in lifestyle. Most of the above mentioned risk factors causing cardiovascular diseases can be prevented by having a healthy diet and exercising regularly.What are various treatment options for cardiovascular diseases?The treatment for cardiovascular diseases is decided based on the condition that a patient is facing. The treatments may involve dealing with the blockages, stabilizing the rhythm of the heart or ensuring improved blood flow by widening arteries.Other treatment options include:Lifestyle changes like maintaining a healthy weight, having a healthy diet, quitting alcohol and smoking etc.Surgeries like coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG).MedicationsCardiac rehabilitation that involve exercise and counselling.Magnesium therapy which is recommended to the patients with ventricular arrhythmia and digoxin intoxication-induced arrhythmias.With early intervention, cardiovascular diseases can be managed effectively. The key to prevent and deal with such diseases is to follow a healthy lifestyle.