Heart disease is increasing among women in the US. Are you at increased risk? Interestingly, the usual conditions anticipated for heart disease increases such as high blood pressure, diabetes and smoking cigarettes is not the only answer. Histories of depression, stress, and traumatic events are under investigation. What follows is a brief overview of the trauma, depression, and heart disease increase connection.
Trauma History
Stress signals the brain to produce increased levels of cortisol and adrenaline. These hormones can raise blood pressure and heart rate which increase the potential for health conditions. Sexual assault, natural disasters, automobile accidents, and military combat are potential risk factors for medical conditions.
Overall exposure to traumatic events can have lifetime health consequences.
Childhood histories of trauma may increase risks for cardiovascular disease in adulthood. Studies often observe increases in rates of obesity, diabetes, and smoking in trauma survivors. These health conditions and behaviors are well known risk factors for cardiovascular diseases.
Many middle-aged women with histories of traumatic events are often unaware of their potential risk of impaired heart function. Thurston et al. (2018) described women who reported three or more traumatic life events. Those studied had unwanted sexual trauma as the most common traumatic experience.
They found that the hearts of women with a trauma history functioned worse than women that did not experience traumatic events. Moreover, the study found that the common risk factors of obesity, high blood pressure, and economic status could not explain the associations between trauma and abnormal heart function. (Thurston et.)
Depression-Heart Connection
Current research supports that depression is the strongest predictor of death in the first decade following a diagnosis of cardiovascular disease. Women are at an increased risk of heart disease since they are twice as likely to be diagnosed with . depression than men. The increased incidence of depression in women is complicated. Factors related to genetics, hormones, social, and psychological factors impact the onset of depression in women. The take-home message is that women with a diagnosis of depression need to be aware of their potential increase in cardiovascular health risks.
Women Heart Disease
Detecting early heart disease in women is difficult, given cardiac conditions presents itself differently in women than in men. Women who have heart attacks may not always present with the classic symptom. The description of pain radiating from the left side of the chest down the left arm may not always apply. This particular gender difference can complicate the diagnosis process for women. Moreover, the presence of clinical depression and underlying anxiety can delay the process of diagnosing nonspecific pain as a cardiac problem.
Good Heart News
Cardiovascular disease is largely preventable. Nearly 75% of coronary women heart disease cases are preventable with better lifestyle choices. The American Heart Association recommends the following lifestyle changes to prevent a heart attack:
• Stop smoking
• Choose nutritious foods
• Control high blood cholesterol
• Lower high blood pressure
• Engage in physical activity every day
• Aim for a healthy weight
• Manage your sugar
• Reduce your stress
Conclusions
If you are not mentally ready to take on a complete change in your lifestyle, start with small changes. Being aware of your heart health is the first step, especially if you have a history of trauma. These changes do not have to be large to make a big difference. You can start with tiny steps like substituting water for a sugary soda or parking your car at a distance. The fact that cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death for women should not be ignored. Respect yourself by adopting one heart-healthy behavior. If it helps, pretend you are shopping for the gift of life to give to yourself.