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Cardiovascular disease and the aging woman: overcoming barriers to lifestyle changes

Cynthia M Carlsson1, James H Stein

  • 1University of Wisconsin Department of Medicine and Center for Women's Health and Women's Health Research, 2500 Overlook Terrace, Madison, WI 53705, USA. cmc@medicine.wisc.edu

Current Women'S Health Reports
|September 7, 2002
PubMed

Insights

Coronary heart disease (CHD) is a major killer of older women, but many underestimate their risk. Lifestyle factors significantly contribute to CHD events, highlighting the need for increased awareness and intervention in women.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Gerontology
  • Preventive Medicine

Background:

  • Coronary heart disease (CHD) is the primary cause of mortality in women aged 60 and above.
  • A significant proportion of older women (40%) perceive themselves as having a low risk of heart attack.
  • Lack of a low-risk lifestyle is linked to approximately 82% of coronary events in women.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To address age-related changes in cardiovascular risk factors specific to women.
  • To emphasize the critical role of lifestyle interventions in mitigating CHD risk in aging women.
  • To highlight the underappreciation of CHD risk among older women and its impact on preventive behaviors.

Main Methods:

  • Review of recent data on coronary events in women.
  • Analysis of the impact of lifestyle factors (diet, activity, tobacco use) on CHD risk.
  • Discussion of physician approaches to cardiovascular risk factor management in older women.

Main Results:

  • Lifestyle factors are implicated in a vast majority (82%) of coronary events in women.
  • Underestimation of CHD risk may deter women from adopting healthier lifestyle choices.
  • Physicians may not be aggressively managing cardiovascular risk factors in middle-aged and older women.

Conclusions:

  • Increased awareness of CHD risk and its modifiable lifestyle components is crucial for older women.
  • Targeted lifestyle interventions are essential for reducing cardiovascular events in this demographic.
  • Further research and clinical practice guidelines are needed to ensure optimal cardiovascular risk management in aging women.

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