Cardiac death: He meets women more often

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MunichIn Germany, more women than men die from cardiovascular diseases. This is surprising - because they are less prone to high blood pressure and less likely to have heart attacks. Risk factors such as smoking and obesity seem to be more harmful to women - the German Hypertension League therefore advises women to be particularly careful.

Around 44 percent of all women in Germany die of cardiovascular diseases. Of the men, there are significantly fewer at 36 percent. It is not primarily heart attacks that kill women. For example, they die twice as often from a weak heart. Especially after the menopause, your risk of developing the disease increases. Many women gain weight over time. Their blood pressure levels often climb with their weight. In addition, the protective effect of the female sex hormone estrogens on the blood vessels gradually disappears.

Women benefit more from a healthy lifestyle

To reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases, the German Hypertension League recommends abstinence from tobacco, a healthy diet and regular exercise - this protects the blood vessels. According to the experts, women would benefit more from a healthy lifestyle than men.

According to them, women should regularly measure their blood pressure themselves and also have a 24-hour measurement carried out by a doctor. "A timely diagnosis of a high blood pressure disease is therefore particularly important for them," says Professor Hausberg from the Karlsruhe Municipal Clinic and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Hypertension League in Karlsruhe.

Gender-specific treatment

This is exacerbated by the fact that some doctors tend to treat women and men with high blood pressure differently. Women are often treated with diuretics, diuretics, and beta blockers. Medicines for high cholesterol levels are reserved for men. "This does not meet the recommendations," says Hausberg.

Whether man or woman, if high blood pressure is not detected early and properly treated, it can damage blood vessels and organs such as the heart, kidneys and brain. High blood pressure is one of the most common causes of disability or premature death. It is usually associated with other diseases such as diabetes or arteriosclerosis. (vv)

Sources:

Press release German Hypertension League, Maximilian Broglie, December 3, 2014.

Press release: 38th Scientific Congress of the German Hypertension League e.V. DHL. Hypertension and prevention. 11-13 December 2014, Berlin. http://hypertonie2014.de. Access 3.12.14

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