Cardiovascular disease, the leading cause of death in women

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Cardiovascular disease, the leading cause of death in women

Specialists of Quirónsalud Alicante and Quirónsalud Murcia On International Women’s Day, they focus on cardiovascular health, the leading cause of death in women around the world.

The cardiovascular disease, The main cause of death in women, especially after age 50, has its origin in the drop in estrogen that occurs during menopause. “Oestrogens,” explains Dr. José Nieto, head of the Health Service. Cardiology at the Quirónsalud Murcia Hospital“they are protective hormones against cardiovascular diseases and their decline in menopause causes weight and cholesterol increase which, together with the appearance of hypertension and diabetes, pose a high risk and predispose to the appearance of cardiovascular accidents in the women”.

Another negative aspect to highlight is the difference in the symptoms of heart attacks between men and women since, as explained by Dr. Alejandro Pascual, head of the Quirónsalud Alicante Cardiology Service“in women it may present in a greater proportion in an atypical way, as less intense pain, located at the epigastric level or that does not usually radiate to the left arm, and which may be accompanied by shortness of breath, which causes, in numerous times, a delay in diagnosis and a consequent worse prognosis.”

Risk factors for cardiovascular disease in women

Dr. José Nieto highlights age as one of the first cardiovascular disease risk factors in women, especially after fifty due to the drop in estrogen. Other risk factors highlighted by the Quirónsalud Murcia specialist would be obesity, dyslipidemia, smoking and a sedentary lifestyle. Dr. Alejandro Pascual, from Quirónsalud Alicante, adds stress as another factor to take into account and that significantly worsens the prognosis of people with cardiovascular diseases.

Recommendations to take care of cardiovascular health in women

• Eat in a healthy and balanced way. There are studies that show that the Mediterranean diet reduces the incidence of cardiovascular complications by up to 30%.

• Reduce the consumption of salt and animal fats and opt for fish, fruits, vegetables and legumes.

• Do moderate exercise on a regular and controlled basis. Before starting it, it is always advisable to receive medical advice, especially after 50 years of age.

• Maintaining the ideal weight is important to prevent high blood pressure and diabetes.

• Undergo regular check-ups, especially after age 50, to monitor the appearance of cardiovascular risk factors.

• Promote healthy lifestyle habits from childhood and adolescence.

Quirónsalud in the Valencian Community and the Region of Murcia

Quirónsalud has ten centers in the Valencian Community and the Region of Murcia, forming a network at the forefront of private medicine where people are the epicenter.

Quirónsalud is positioned at the head of private healthcare in the Valencian Community and Murcia in terms of technological equipment, as well as comfort and benefits for both the patient and the professionals who provide their services at its centers.