Published on
Updated
Reading 3 mins.
in collaboration with
Dr Stéphane Manzo-Silberman (Interventional Cardiologist)
The leading cause of death among women, cardiovascular diseases are now at the “heart” of women’s health. On the occasion of International Women’s Day, Dr. Stéphane Manzo-Silberman, cardiologist, discusses the importance of prevention, which is possible at different stages of life.
Despite an idea still too widespread, the infarction is not only a male pathology. On the contrary, the figures indicate a completely different reality: in France, cardiovascular diseases remain the 1time leading cause of death in women from cancer. Every day, they kill 200 women in France.
Increased risk factors in women
For cardiologist Stéphane Manzo-Silberman, a specialist in women’s health and a member of our committee of experts, the first place of cardiovascular disease is explained by:
- The decline of female cancer. Breast cancer screening in particular and improved diagnosis have led to a sharp decline in mortality linked to these tumours. At the same time, the management of cardiovascular diseases has not experienced such progress;
- The sensitivity of the diagnosis. Since 2008, the possibility of using the dosage of troponins (a protein of the heart muscle) has made it possible to detect forms of infarction which were not necessarily evident on the electrocardiograms before;
- The increase in risk factors. As the specialist points out, risk factors are also increasing among women: smoking has doubled since the 1980s; the hypertension jumped without however being well detected; physical inactivity, cholesterol, diabetes are all on the rise. Not to mention the chronic stress that also increases in women.
Different lesions in women
Faced with this increase in factors, men and women can therefore be victims of the same cardiovascular diseases. Dr. Manzo Silberman, however, notes a difference: “Myocardial infarction more frequently takes a form without complete obstruction of the artery, by a clot in women. A case that is seen 5 times more in women than in men.
A difference that does not necessarily translate into different symptoms, as our expert would like to point out.
But signs not necessarily atypical
On this point, the cardiologist intends to sort out a misconception and points out a necessary nuance:
“We hear a lot about feminine signs, necessarily atypical, in infarction. This is not correct. What must be said first of all is that in 7 cases out of 10there is indeed a chest gene in the woman. In people under 50, unusual discomfort even occurs in 9 out of 10 cases. Where the symptoms of women will stand out is that they will be more likely than men to present associated signs: shortness of breath, palpitation, back pain, nausea, vomiting…And these signs can become more intense than the chest discomfort. But to say that the signs in women are necessarily atypical can ultimately harm the diagnosis.
It is all the more important to know these signs, as many women, feeling little concerned by cardiovascular diseases, will interpret the weight felt on the chest as a sign of stress, or fatigue before thinking of an organic reason or even heart. “Stress, fatigue, anxiety are diagnoses of elimination” reminiscent of cardiology. They should not delay treatment in the event of a cardiac emergency.
Prevention to be implemented from an early age
Prevention must take place as soon as possible. “We need to move towards prevention messages that must start at an early age, for girls and boys. This goes through a healthy lifestyle, a balanced diet, physical activity and the prevention of all toxins: tobacco, drugs…” emphasizes the specialist.
Subsequently, follow-up must be regular, throughout life, and screening must take place as early as possible, especially if high blood pressure, diabetes or cholesterol are part of the family history.
Finally, the cardiologist reminds us, women are lucky enough to have somewhat “forced” medical visit times that take cardiovascular health into account:
- When prescribing contraception which will be the time to look for risk factors, contraindications to this prescription…;
- During pregnancy follow-up which will also involve medical monitoring. This could possibly reveal a weakness during a high-risk pregnancy, which will require special attention beyond the complications;
- During menopause, which alters the metabolism and regulation of carbohydrates and lipids adversely. The establishment of a possible treatment must therefore also verify the absence of cardiovascular contraindications.
“All these moments are to be seen as opportunities for screening and care even before the clinical manifestations“ confirms Dr. Manzo-Silberman.
In conclusion, being a woman does not protect you from cardiovascular disease. On the contrary, these pathologies kill more women than cancer. To protect your heart, prevention must take place from an early age and the regular medical appointments that you benefit from are as many chances to set up active prevention.