A recent study reveals intense physical activity can highlight cardiovascular risks in women, with lower performance during exertion linked to a higher chance of fatal events.
A recent study in the United States reveals that intense physical exertion poses a significant risk for women in their later years. The study highlights a concerning link between vigorous activity and an increased likelihood of experiencing myocardial infarction (MI), cerebrovascular accidents (CVA), or other adverse outcomes related to cardiovascular diseases.
Cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of death for women. Doctors emphasize that controlling high blood pressure and elevated cholesterol levels is crucial in mitigating the risk for older women, who are particularly susceptible to cardiovascular complications, thereby potentially reducing the need for extensive medical interventions. Unfortunately, many women do not realize they are at risk for cardiovascular diseases.
A research team from the United States conducted a study involving 3,000 women aged between 30 and 80, all of whom had no prior history of cardiovascular disease. The study meticulously tracked participants during periods of rest and while engaging in physical activity using sophisticated monitoring equipment. Researchers carefully assessed vital parameters such as heart rate variability, which reflects the heart’s ability to adapt during physical exertion, and how quickly the heart rate returns to normal after exercise. Over the following 20 years, researchers monitored how many women in the study developed heart failure adding to the causes of death.
The women who were unable to sustain a high level of activity, meaning their heart rate took longer to return to normal after exertion, and those who did not reach the expected heart rate, experienced a higher likelihood of cardiovascular events such as heart attack and stroke. The overall risks for these women were significantly greater.
The inability to cope with strenuous activity, reflected in changes in electrocardiogram (ECG) readings, suggests that the heart is not receiving adequate blood flow. While these changes may indicate underlying heart issues, they don’t always mean women are more prone to death from cardiovascular causes.
Conversely, women who engaged in substantial physical activity and whose heart rate took longer to recover after exertion were found to be more susceptible to fatal cardiovascular events. Women who consistently performed at a level lower than their peers showed to have greater risks. In fact, their chances of death were three and a half times higher than women whose performance was above average.
Relying solely on routine tests, such as blood pressure and cholesterol checks, may underestimate the risk of cardiovascular events in some women. It’s important to consider other factors.
The researchers suggest that this study highlights how intense physical activity can unmask a woman’s vulnerability to cardiovascular disease. Among the cohort studied, women who consistently performed at a lower level than average experienced a 13-fold increase in cardiovascular-related fatalities compared to women who performed above average.
The researchers conclude that exercise testing can play a crucial role in identifying women who are more prone to cardiovascular issues, potentially prompting further evaluations and lifestyle changes to mitigate their risk.
