High blood pressure, or hypertension, is one of the major risk factors for heart disease and stroke and recent studies show how prevalent it can be. It is very important for people to control this serious condition with the medications doctors prescribe and by hitting all the measurement targets. Taking a person’s sex into account as a routine part of screenings can lead to a better understanding of cardiovascular risk. This is particularly important since females and males have different symptoms and health impacts.
The Gender Factor in Cardiovascular Health
Females deal with specialized symptoms when having a heart attack. These can range from nausea, to shortness of breath, to chest pain. For many of these biological and social challenges, females generally have a more positive overall health status than males. Research shows that only 9.1% of women are able to obtain an optimal score on the eight health status domains. By comparison, just 4.8% of boys meet this standard.
Rohit Vuppuluri, DO, urges for greater awareness of cardiovascular disease in men and women.
"It's important for women to understand that although cardiovascular disease is higher in men, cardiovascular disease is still a leading cause of death for both women and men," stated Rohit Vuppuluri, DO.
Managing High Blood Pressure
Controlling high blood pressure is one of the most important ways to prevent heart disease and stroke. Just as medications need to be taken appropriately, patients need to do the work necessary to achieve their health objectives. Morgan weighs in on the topic of medication adherence and sticking to your meds.
"If you are prescribed medications for blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes, etc., take them as prescribed and ensure that you meet all goals of measurements," advised Morgan.
Staying active and participating in consistent moderate to vigorous physical activity can play a huge role in sustaining cardiovascular health.
"Stay active, and have your body in motion. Remember, the human body is made to move," said Morgan.
Birth Control and Cardiovascular Risk
Hormonal birth control isn’t responsible for causing heart disease, certain forms can still activate high blood pressure and cholesterol complications. Females who already have cardiovascular risk factors might be at higher risk while taking hormonal birth control. Therefore, it is vital that women with these risk factors reach out to healthcare professionals for guidance tailored to individual needs.
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