28.2 C
Accra
Tuesday, December 3, 2024
WorldYoung mothers susceptible to heart diseases, study

Date:

Young mothers susceptible to heart diseases, study

According to a significant new study, women who are young mothers, have many children, and start their periods early all have a higher chance of acquiring cardiovascular disease.

A team from Imperial College London conducted the study, which was then published in the Journal of the American Heart Association. They examined data from more than 100,000 women worldwide.

“This study shows a clear link between reproductive factors and cardiovascular disease,” explained lead author Dr Maddalena Ardissino.

“These findings highlight the need for doctors to monitor these risk factors closely in women and intervene where needed.”

According to the British Heart Foundation, women in the UK are twice as likely to die from coronary disease – the leading cause of heart attacks – than breast cancer. Yet, the foundation adds that coronary disease is often seen as a “man’s problem”.

“Many of the previous studies on cardiovascular disease have focused on men,” said senior author of the new study, Dr Fu Siong Ng.

“But our research shows there are sex-specific factors that influence the risk for women. We cannot say exactly how much these factors increase the risk of cardiovascular disease.

“Our study shows reproductive history is important. It points towards a causal impact. We need to understand more about these factors to make sure women get the best possible care.”

Woman sits on couch with period pains
Girls who get their periods earlier are also more at risk of developing heart disease. (Getty Images)

To collate their findings, the researchers used a statistical technique called Mendelian Randomisation that identifies genetic variants linked to potential risk factors.

The researchers found that much of the increased risk from early first periods resulted from being overweight. They said that lowering a girl’s BMI (body mass index) could be a protective measure.

They added that the increased risk for young mothers came from traditional cardiometabolic risk factors such as BMI, high cholesterol and high blood pressure.

“Women are often mischaracterised as being at low risk for cardiovascular disease, leading to delays in diagnosis,” Dr Ardissino adds. “Even when they are diagnosed, they tend to receive less targeted treatment than men.

“This doesn’t mean women should worry if they’ve had their period at a young age – or if they had an early first birth. Our research shows the additional risk of cardiovascular disease can be minimised if traditional risk factors like BMI and blood pressure are well-controlled.”

According to the NHS, the main causes of coronary heart disease include smoking, having high blood pressure (hypertension), high cholesterol, high levels of lipoprotein, not exercising regularly, and having diabetes.

Source: Yahoo.com

[forminator_poll id="710479"]

Latest stories

There must be fairness and equity in the recruitment of staff of the ICC – A-G

Ghana's Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Godfred Dame, has...

A-G pushes for laws against genocide, war crimes in African States

Ghana's Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Godfred Dame, has...

I shouldn’t have taken help from a woman – Big Akwes tells a story of regret

Ghanaian Kumawood actor Big Akwes has expressed regrets for...

Defective ballots for Eastern region destroyed

The Ghana Police Service, in collaboration with the Eastern...

Your support can make voting easier for PWDs – Centre for Disability urges Ghanaians

The Centre for Disability, Entrepreneurship, and Public Policy has...

Police look into alleged attack on Otumfuo’s convoy

The Ghana Police Service is investigating an alleged attack...

Total assets in banking sector surge by 3.4% to GHC367.2bn – BoG

The Bank of Ghana (BoG) reports that total assets...

Related stories

Biden grants full pardon to son Hunter amid criminal sentencing

US President Joe Biden has granted a full and...

Court issues 2-year suspended death sentence to former Bank of China Chair for bribery, others

Former Bank of China chairman Liu Liange on Tuesday received...

Ghanaians among UN peacekeepers injured in Southern Lebanon attacks

The UN peacekeeping force in southern Lebanon has reported...

Russia denies Trump told Putin to restrain Ukraine war efforts

The Kremlin has rejected media reports suggesting that US...

More than 100 detained as protesters defy Amsterdam’s ban on protests

Dozens of pro-Palestinian protesters were arrested in Amsterdam on...

Traffic jam erupts as cyclists from Zhengzhou to Kaifeng for dumplings

A social media trend that began as a lighthearted...

Adin Ross wins $1.6m on Trump election bet after public endorsement

American streamer and social media influencer Adin Ross scored...