Why Heart Disease can be Overlooked in Women

The online journal, Medical News Today’s reports women and girls across the world still face challenges and discrimination in medical settings both as patients and prospective medical workers. One example of an area in which women’s medical health is often overlooked and misdiagnosed is coronary heart disease (CHD) despite the fact that it is the leading cause of death for women.

The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute explains CHD occurs when the arteries delivering oxygenated blood into the heart (where it is pumped out to the other organs) are not able to “service” the heart effectively. Studies show women may also be more at risk for developing non-obstructive CHD, a condition that causes the arteries going into the heart to be abnormally squeezed by surrounding tissue.

CHD symptoms can vary between individuals as well as differ in men and women; and non-obstructive CHD can be symptom-less and go undetected for years. To complicate matters, research shows women’s symptoms are atypical and include things like “back pain, burning in the chest, abdominal discomfort, nausea, or fatigue — which makes the diagnosis more difficult.” Additionally studies show part of the problem is too often women wait to get medical attention. Sadly it is frequently after the disease has progressed, and the damage is harder to treat. Researchers also say most of the CHD studies done in the past have concentrated on men and have underrepresented women. Hopefully in the future, more women will be included.

MorningStar of Pasadena represents luxury senior living in vibrant Pasadena, CA. Residents enjoy carefree retirement years with opportunities for new friendships, predictable budgeting and activities amid beautiful surroundings. We invite you to contact us regarding availability and pricing for the area’s most trusted independent living and assisted living in Pasadena, CA.

Source: medicalnewstoday.com/articles/324659.php

Comments

Be an Active Partner in Your Medical Care

Experts suggest that a good way to reduce medical errors regarding your care or that of a loved one is to be an active partner in the process whether in a hospital setting, doctors’ office or the pharmacy. In fact, a study showed 7% of hospitalized patients experienced an event that was considered preventable which negatively affected their health. Furthermore, harmful errors in primary and outpatient health care settings are typically related to diagnoses, prescriptions and use of medicines. Mistakes associated with misdiagnosis result in delayed treatment for the real problem and having the wrong medications prescribed or supplied can cause serious complications. However, it is important to keep in mind that some medical errors are a result of patients failing to disclose all the medications they take including prescription and over-the-counter drugs. Another problem is the failure to reveal pertinent details regarding a person’s prior medical history as well as lifestyle habits s...

Hosting a Senior-Friendly Book Swap Event

For book lovers, there’s nothing better than finding new stories to dive into and sharing favorite reads with friends. Hosting a book swap event is a fun, budget-friendly way for seniors to exchange books, explore new genres, and connect over a shared love of reading. Choose a Cozy, Accessible Space The first step in planning a book swap is choosing a comfortable, accessible space. A common room or a cozy corner in senior living Kirkland is ideal. Arrange seating in a circle or create small areas where people can gather, sit, and chat. Add a table or shelf for displaying the books, so everyone can browse easily. Decorating with a few simple touches—like tablecloths, flowers, or even book-themed decorations—adds warmth and excitement. A welcoming atmosphere encourages everyone to relax, explore, and enjoy the event. Invite Participants to Bring a Book (or Two) The beauty of a book swap is that everyone contributes! Ask each participant to bring one or two gently-used books they’re read...

Research Shows Humans May have the Potential for a Longer Lifespan

The Medical News Today recently reported on an interesting study published in the journal, Demographic Research, and conducted by the University of Washington, which indicated a likely rise in human longevity by the end of this century. Worldwide we have seen a rise over the last several years of a half a million people, referred to as centenarians , living past the age of 100 years old. Today the new focus is on those living past 110 years old who are referred to as “supercentenarians.” Up to now the oldest known person in the world was a French woman with a recorded age of 122 years old when she died in 1997. The University of Washington longevity study used “updated longevity data in the International Database on Longevity (IDL), established by the Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research in Rostock, Germany.” The study included 1,119 people recorded as supercentenarians from ten European countries along with Japan, U.S. and Canada. They additionally included records of al...

MorningStar Independent Living Blog

Search This Blog