Fat and cholesterol are fundamental sources of heart issues which remain an essential threat in the life of women.

Despite being one of the biggest misperceived conditions as being a man’s disease, it is a fact that heart diseases claim more women’s lives across the world than any other diseases.

Are you a woman and shocked to hear this? Wondering what else you should be aware of to keep your heart healthy?

It is important that you learn how high cholesterol levels predisposes them to the diseases of the heart.

This blog by Karetrip includes the investigation of the causes of high cholesterol and heart diseases among women and how cholesterol affects women in comparison with men.

Understanding Cholesterol

Cholesterol is a type of fat in the blood which is important to help in the body processes including synthesis of hormones and digestion.

It is transported in the bloodstream in packages which are called lipoproteins. There are two main types:There are two main types:

1. Low Density Lipoprotein (LDL): LDL is often referred to as the “bad” cholesterol because it can deposit cholesterol in the arteries narrowing the passageway and thus increasing the chances of a heart disease.

2. High Density Lipoprotein (HDL): HDL also is implicated in the prevention of artery blockage, this is the reason it is called the ‘good’ cholesterol.

Causes of High Cholesterol in Women

Genetic Factors

Interestingly, one’s family history follows him/her to determine the cholesterol levels that they would experience.

Medical conditions for example, familial hypercholesterolemia (FH), leads to high LDL levels from early ages, thus the risk of heart diseases.

Hormonal Changes

Menses also affect cholesterol in that ovarian hormones control cholesterol synthesis and distribution at different phases of a woman’s life.

Estrogen tends to raise HDL and at the same time lower LDL. However, the estrogen levels drop at the time of menopause and this leads to increased levels of LDL cholesterol and decreased levels of HDL cholesterol predisposing the women to heart diseases.

Diet and Nutrition

Saturated fats, trans fats and cholesterol increase the blood cholesterol logarithm. Aging risks foods such as red meat, full fat dairy products, and processed foods significantly.

The most frequent consumers of these foods are exposed to high cholesterol and heart diseases.

Physical Inactivity

Consequently, non-exercising individuals are likely to pack on some weight, recording elevated LDL cholesterol levels and decreased HDL cholesterol levels.

People should do moderate amounts of physical activity daily so that they do not become overweight, low levels of LDL and high levels of HDL are achieved.

Obesity

In particular, obesity is closely related to high cholesterol and such diseases of the heart.

Obesity and particularly central obesity are associated with an increase in LDL levels and a reduction in the HDL ones. Obesity also predisposes one to other diseases such as diabetes and hypertension that also up the risk for heart diseases.

Age

Cholesterol ratios are said to increase in women as they mature. The other risk factors include; people with high cholesterol levels in their families, people with high blood pressure, and postmenopausal women because of hormonal imbalance and low cholesterol levels.

Medical Conditions

Conditions like hypothyroidism, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), and diabetes affect cholesterol metabolism, leading to elevated LDL and total cholesterol levels.

Medications

Some medications negatively impact cholesterol levels. Hormone replacement therapy (HRT), birth control pills, and certain antihypertensive medications can increase LDL and decrease HDL levels.

How Cholesterol Affects Women Differently Than Men

Biological Differences

Women often experience different types of heart disease than men. They are more likely to have microvascular disease, which affects the small arteries of the heart, making diagnosis and treatment more challenging.

Additionally, women’s cholesterol levels are more influenced by hormonal changes, such as those occurring during menstrual cycles, pregnancy, and menopause.

Symptoms of Heart Disease

Women may experience different symptoms of heart disease compared to men.

While chest pain is common in both genders, women are more likely to have nontraditional symptoms like shortness of breath, nausea, vomiting, back or jaw pain, and extreme fatigue.

These atypical symptoms can lead to delays in seeking treatment and misdiagnosis.

Psychosocial Factors

Women are more likely to experience stress, depression, and social isolation, which can impact heart health.

These factors can lead to unhealthy behaviors such as poor diet, physical inactivity, and smoking, further increasing the risk of heart disease.

Prevention and Management

Lifestyle Modifications:

Making lifestyle changes is crucial for managing cholesterol levels and reducing heart disease risk:Making lifestyle changes is crucial for managing cholesterol levels and reducing heart disease risk:

Healthy Diet: Reduce the portion sizes and increase the consumption of fruits, vegetables, whole grain foods and lean meats, while at the same time decrease the intake of foods high in saturated fats, trans fats and cholesterol.

Regular Exercise: Partake in at least 150 minutes Intermediate intensity aerobic activity or 75 minutes, vigorous intensity activity in a week.

Weight Management: Take a balanced diet and exercise on a regular basis to ensure that one gets to the right weight.

Smoking Cessation: Stop smoking to increase your HDL and more importantly your heart health.

Medical Interventions:

When lifestyle changes aren’t enough, medical interventions include:When lifestyle changes aren’t enough, medical interventions include:

Medications: Statins are another form of drugs which are used frequently to reduce LDL cholesterol. Other drugs are bile acid sequestrants, cholesterol absorption inhibitors and Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) inhibitors.

Regular Monitoring: Follow-up visits to the professional, biochemical tests including cholesterol levels and evaluating the outcomes of prescribed treatments.

Awareness and Education

To increase the knowledge of high cholesterol and heart disease in females, awareness and education should be conducted.

In this case, mass community campaigns, community programs, and training of healthcare providers can enable women to note the need to take care of their cholesterol levels and access appropriate care.

Cholesterol and heart are serious threats for women’s health, which depend on genetics, hormones, lifestyle and environmental factors.

When the features of the heart diseases in women are acknowledged as well as the strategies of prevention and management,women’s risk is reduced and outcomes enhanced.

By raising people’s awareness of these conditions and encouraging heart healthy habits, we can minimise global health risks and extend the span of women’s lives.