Many don’t know that heart and brain conditions (including heart disease, stroke and vascular cognitive impairment) are the leading causes of premature death for women in Canada. At the same time, most women do not talk regularly with their healthcare provider about their own heart and brain related risks. It’s time to take charge of your heart and brain health.
Some risk factors affect women differently than men. And since estrogen’s protective effect on women’s heart and brain health fluctuates throughout their lives, women experience unique risk factors at different life stages:
• Reproductive years. Hormonal contraceptives, fertility treatments and pregnancy-related disorders such as high blood pressure or gestational diabetes can affect a woman’s risk.
• Menopause. As women transition to peri-menopause and menopause, estrogen production lessens, increasing their risk for heart disease and stroke.
• Post-menopause. After menopause, the protective factors associated with estrogen are gone. This happens along with the natural aging process – and advancing age is also a risk factor.
Some risk factors for heart conditions, stroke and vascular cognitive impairment (such as high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, complications of pregnancy, smoking ) pose an even greater threat for women than for men.
Medical risk factors
High blood pressure
High cholesterol
Diabetes
Atrial fibrillation (an irregular heart rhythm)
Obesity
Menopause
Depression and anxiety
High blood pressure during pregnancy
Diabetes during pregnancy
Pre-eclampsia or eclampsia during pregnancy
Polycystic ovary disease
Autoimmune conditions
Chronic kidney disease
Poor sleep health
Breast cancer treatment
Other ________________________________
Physical inactivity
Unhealthy diet
Smoking (includes cigarettes and vaping)
Stress
Excessive alcohol or drug use
Birth control or menopause hormone therapy
Living alone and/or being socially isolated
Other ________________________________
*Lifestyle risk factors can be lowered through healthy behaviours, with the right support in place; adopting these behaviours is easier for some than others due to equity and access issues.
Non-modifiable risk factors
– ones you cannot control
Age
Ethnicity
Family history
Medical history
Intergenerational trauma
Social roles and responsibilities (e.g., caregiver responsibilities)
Other barriers (e.g., challenges accessing healthy food, safe drinking water, health services and social services)
Check the risk factors that could apply to you (e.g., you already are experiencing these or have family history) and talk about them with your healthcare provider. heartandstroke.ca/women
Speaking honestly with your healthcare providers about your concerns is important to your health. But clear communication can be challenging. Before your healthcare appointments, write down the things that are worrying you and any changes you have noticed in your health. You know your body best!
Prepare the questions you want to ask. Share information about your lifestyle and any emotional or physical challenges you are facing. Pressures such as money problems, relationships or demands at work or home can all affect your emotional well-being and your ability to live a healthy lifestyle.
Here are some sample questions to ask:
• I have a family history of heart conditions, stroke or diabetes. What does that mean for me?
• I am getting close to menopause. How will that affect my heart and brain? What things should I be thinking about to help protect myself as I move through menopause?
• What does high blood pressure mean? What are my targets? Can I monitor it myself?
• The medications I am prescribed have negative side effects. Are there options that might be better for me?
• During my pregnancy, I experienced some complications (e.g. high blood pressure, gestational diabetes, preeclampsia). What does this mean for my future heart and brain health?
• Buying healthy food is challenging. What realistic changes can I make in my situation?
If someone takes your blood pressure or measures your cholesterol, ask them what your numbers are, what your numbers mean, and what your numbers should be. If they have not been measured, ask to have them done to get a baseline. That goes for other tests and health indicators too.
Blood pressure My BP is:
Cholesterol My level is:
Other
Other
My target is:
My target is:
List your own questions here:
• I do not know how to find time in my day to do physical activity. Can you suggest some options for me? heartandstroke.ca/women
A healthy lifestyle can reduce your risk of high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, obesity and other conditions that increase your risk of heart conditions, stroke and vascular cognitive impairment.
Talk about the lifestyle changes you want to make. For example, are you hoping to make meaningful changes to your diet or how you prepare food? Are you looking to add more physical activity to your day? Would you like expert advice (from your healthcare provider perhaps) for helpful resources appropriate for your health needs and personal situation?
We hope you found this guide helpful. Let’s keep the conversation going. Share it with women you care about.
• Subscribe today to the progress on women’s heart and brain health, the latest on reducing your risks, healthy living tips, research and more.
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• Know and share the signs of stroke, heart attack and cardiac arrest so you know what to do and can take action fast.
Women tend to prioritize the health needs of their family members over their own. Women have greater caregiver responsibilities and are more likely to experience negative health issues as a result. Women also have amazing strengths – we don’t focus on ourselves often enough. By taking time for yourself, you can be there for everyone else when they need you.
heartandstroke.ca/women