With cardiovascular disease being the leading cause of death among women, understanding the interplay of heart, kidney and metabolic health is crucial. The American Heart Association’s new initiative aims to raise awareness and improve treatment outcomes.
Millions of women may be unknowingly living with risk factors that link heart, kidney and metabolic health — conditions that collectively elevate the risk of cardiovascular disease, the leading cause of death among women. The American Heart Association is shedding light on this critical issue through its new CKM — cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic — health initiative.
“Despite heart disease being the leading cause of death for women, most are not aware of their risk of heart disease,” Sadiya S. Khan, an American Heart Association volunteer and Magerstadt professor of cardiovascular epidemiology, and an associate professor of cardiology and preventive medicine at Northwestern School of Medicine in Chicago, said in a news release, underscoring the urgent need for awareness.
Khan emphasized that explicit understanding and management of blood pressure, cholesterol, weight, blood glucose and kidney function are vital.
Understanding the Risks
The statistics are alarming; nearly 45% of women over 20 live with some form of cardiovascular disease.
Often, women present different symptoms than men and may be more susceptible to blockages in smaller blood vessels. Addressing these differences is crucial for timely and accurate diagnoses.
Moreover, women with Type 2 diabetes or chronic kidney disease have an even higher risk, potentially reaching elevated cardiovascular disease risk levels 8-9 years earlier than those without these conditions. This makes early action and routine monitoring indispensable.
Importance of Regular Screening
Many linked conditions like high blood pressure and early-stage kidney disease often go unnoticed due to a lack of symptoms.
Regular screening for blood pressure, cholesterol and kidney function is essential. Khan stresses the importance of knowing one’s health numbers to optimize CKM health.
Impact of Life Stages on CKM Health
Pregnancy and menopause significantly impact CKM health.
Pregnancy complications, such as preeclampsia and gestational diabetes, are predictors of future chronic health issues.
“Each pregnancy is a window into later heart, kidney and metabolic health,” added Janani Rangaswami, a professor of medicine at the George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences.
Menopause also brings changes that can increase the risk for CKM syndrome, emphasizing the need for vigilant health management during these life stages.
Social Determinants
Social factors uniquely affect women, influencing their health outcomes. Issues like marital status, financial dimensions and access to care can have noticeable impacts on women’s health.
Khan highlights that women are often underrepresented in clinical trials and may not receive the same level of care as men, making self-advocacy and thorough health discussions with professionals critical.
“Women are historically underrepresented in clinical trials, may have lower access to health care, less likely to receive evidence-based medication, and their health concerns may often be overlooked or dismissed,” Khan added.
She emphasizes the need for women to proactively manage their health through detailed health forms and regular screenings.
Empowering Women to Act
The American Heart Association’s initiative aims to empower women with the knowledge and tools to manage their CKM health effectively.
“Sometimes being your best advocate is your best bet. We want to encourage every woman to feel empowered to advocate for themselves and their health,” added Khan. “This should include requesting thorough screenings at health care visits and talking to a health care professional about your heart, kidney and metabolic health factors.”
Source: American Heart Association