By Daily Mail
Stress hits women harder, new research suggests.
Females with heart disease experience reduced blood supply to the organ when under pressure, a study reveals today.
This can cause the heart to forcibly pump out blood, which increases their risk of suffering a cardiovascular-related event or premature death.
Study author Dr Viola Vaccarino from Emory University, said: ‘This research is important because previous studies have shown that a reduction in blood supply to the heart (ischemia) during mental stress doubles the risk of heart attack or death from heart disease.
‘Women with heart disease need to know that they may be vulnerable to the effects of mental stress and think about ways to protect their hearts, such as relaxation techniques and physical exercise.’
Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the US, being responsible for one in four fatalities every year.
How the research was carried out
The researchers analyzed 678 adults with an average age of 63.
All of the study’s participants had heart disease.
While the participants gave a speech, the researchers measured their blood pressures and heart rates, as well as taking imaging pictures of their hearts and measuring the constriction of arteries supplying blood in their fingers.
‘Women with heart disease may be vulnerable to mental stress’
Results reveal stressed women with heart disease experience reduced blood supply to their hearts due to the constriction of tiny blood vessels.
Dr Vaccarino said: ‘This research is important because previous studies have shown that a reduction in blood supply to the heart (ischemia) during mental stress doubles the risk of heart attack or death from heart disease.
‘Instead of dilating and increasing blood flow to the heart during stress, in women the tiny blood vessels are constricted, leading to areas of reduced blood flow.’
The results also found reduced blood supply to the heart in stressed men is typically due to an increase in blood pressure and heart rate, which raises the organ’s workload.
People with heart disease should try to avoid stress, the researchers advise.
Dr Vaccarino added: ‘Women with heart disease need to know that they may be vulnerable to the effects of mental stress and think about ways to protect their hearts, such as relaxation techniques and physical exercise.’
The findings were published in the journal Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis and Vascular Biology. Heart attacks in women can be different from men.
