There is a general belief that women are less prone to coronary artery disease (heart blockages) as compared to men. This is partially true.
Women in child bearing age groups have a lower incidence of heart blockages as compared to men. Philosophically speaking – maybe this is Nature or God’s way of protecting women during their days of motherhood from the commonest contributor to human mortality.
The scientific reason of course is the presence of female hormones – which not only reduces the incidence of heart blockages but also its risk factors such as blood pressure.
This advantage is however lost once they reach menopause. Within a few years of menopause, the incidence starts rising and after a decade or so the incidence rivals that of men. In a twist to this “advantage women” statistic, there are two risk factors which can neutralize this natural advantage – smoking and diabetes. The presence of these risk factors exposes them to similar or higher incidence of heart blockges. Women are also at a disadvantage when they need to undergo coronary interventions such as stenting or bypass surgery.
They tend to have thinner and more diffusely diseased arteries– thereby making these procedures more difficult and with less favourable results. So finally, my advice to women – enjoy the advantage accrued to you by Nature but don’t be careless with life style choices!
By Dr. Hemant Madan, Senior Director and Programme Head, Cardiac Sciences, Narayana Health.