CVD in Women Flashcards
The most common cause for death in women in Canada
heart disease and stroke
What is the most important reason/cause for heart failure in women?
hypertension
What is the most important reason/cause for heart failure in men?
ischemic heart disease
three risk factors for cvd associated with women
preterm delivery, hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, and gestational diabetes
Gestational diabetes
condition in which hormone made by placenta prevents the body from using insulin effectively
three risk factors for CVD that are more prevalent in women than men
autoimmune diseases, breast cancer, and depression
what is the possible reason for associating lupus (an autoimmune disease) with CVD?
inflammation
what is the possible reason for associating breast cancer with CVD?
radiation therapy that they undergo is believed to change the heart. The area of the breasts is close in location so it could lead to hypertrophy.
what is the possible reason for associating depression with CVD?
depression leads to general chronic inflammation in the body that could be the link to heart disease.
- some also believe that depression leads to an increase in HPA axis (activated during fight or flight, i.e., SNS)
Steroid hormones
lipid-soluble hormones derived from cholesterol (e.g. estrogen and testosterone)
role of steroid hormones
- Lipid-soluble hormones diffuse through plasma membrane
- Hormone binds to receptor in cytoplasm, forming receptor-hormone complex
- Receptor-hormone complex enters the nucleus and triggers gene transcription
- Transcribed mRNA is translated into proteins that alter cell activity.
three things that proteins alter
enzymes, receptors, and function of ion channels
two ways in which estrogen is relevant to CVD
- Cardiomyocytes express aromatase
2. Cardiomyocytes have estrogen receptors
aromatase
enzyme that converts testosterone to estrogen
What happens when aromatase isn’t present in enough quantities?
accelerates atherosclerosis
