Heart attacks rate rising in women

Researchers from the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, analysed the data of 8000 adults aged 35-54 who participated in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys between 1988 to 1994 and between 1999 to 2004.

The researchers noted that during the study periods, while heart risk factors including cholesterol levels, blood pressure, smoking status improved among men, these mostly worsened among women. Diabetes was another factor which triggered cardivascular events among women.

Women found to be at greater risk of heart attacks
Both time periods accounted increased incidence of cardiovascular events among men than women, however, the gap reduced with time.

It was found that nearly 2.5 percent of men aged 35-54 suffered from heart attacks in the five-year period from 1988 to 1994. However, the figure dropped to 2.2 percent in the second time frame.

On the other hand, 0.7 percent women reported a heart attack during the first time frame which increased to 1 percent in the second study period.

The researchers concluded, “Although men in their midlife years continue to have a higher prevalence of myocardial infarction and a higher 10-year risk of hard coronary heart disease than women of a similar age, our study suggests that the risk is increasing in women, while decreasing in men.

“Therefore, intensification of efforts at screening for and treating vascular risk factors in women in their midlife years may be warranted.”

Risk of dying after heart attack improving in women
In another study of nearly 916,380 men and women who had reported a heart attack between 1994 and 2006, researchers found that women under the age of 55 were three times less likely to die following a heart attack than men.

"We found that the number of younger women who die in the hospital after a heart attack, compared with men in the same age group, has narrowed over the last few years," concluded the researchers.

Both these studies suggest that, in order to prevent the risk of heart attacks, identification and prevention of heart risk factors is very essential. And if one follows a healthy diet, indulges in regular physical activity and avoids smoking, it can make a great deal of difference in keeping the heart healthy.

The findings of both studies are published in the journal Archives of Internal Medicine.