A recent study suggests that cardiovascular risk screening for men ought to commence sooner; the peril for heart issues begins to elevate for males around the age of 35, substantially earlier than the corresponding upswing observed in females. These findings were printed in the Journal of the American Heart Association.
American researchers overseeing this investigation monitored the health status of 5,112 individuals over an average period of roughly 34 years. Given that participants were healthy and aged between 18 and 30 at the study’s inception in the mid-1980s, the scientists were enabled to track the onset of cardiovascular events (including strokes and heart failure) as time progressed.
According to the gathered data, the age of 35 marks a pivotal point where disparities in cardiovascular disease susceptibility between the sexes start to become apparent. A major component contributing to these variances is coronary artery disease (CAD), the most frequent cause of heart attacks, characterized by plaque buildup obstructing arteries and impeding blood flow.
“While it might seem premature, cardiovascular conditions develop over decades, and early indicators can surface even in younger adults,” notes epidemiologist Alexa Friedman of Northwestern University in the U.S. “Initiating screening earlier could help flag risk factors at an initial stage, thus allowing for the implementation of preventative strategies that lower lifetime risk.”
After accounting for ancillary elements, which included blood pressure, cholesterol levels, blood sugar concentrations, smoking history, physical activity, and body weight, the gap diminished but did not vanish, suggesting the presence of underlying, non-accounted-for causes.
The evidence demonstrated that males reach a 5% rate of cardiovascular disease incidence approximately seven years earlier than females—averaging 50.5 years compared to 57.5 years. Specifically concerning CAD, males hit the 2% incidence threshold a full decade ahead of women.
Regarding stroke risk, no significant sex difference was found, and the divergence in heart failure risk (where the heart’s pumping function is compromised) began to emerge at a later age. These discoveries are anticipated to inform subsequent research endeavors.
“This cohort was relatively young—everyone was under 65 at the final follow-up—and stroke and heart failure typically present later in life,” Friedman explains. Although the study did not delve into the precise reasons for the gender discrepancy, disparities in sex hormone levels and cholesterol profiles might partially explain the pattern.
Previous reports had indicated a decade-long gap in CAD risk between genders, but this contemporary research analyzed more recent datasets and broadened previous analyses to encompass diverse categories of cardiovascular ailment.
Cardiovascular maladies remain the leading cause of mortality for both men and women across the United States, and the researchers emphasize that the risks for women should not be minimized.
Nevertheless, considering that women are more likely to attend routine preventive medical appointments, and given the notable early advantage men possess regarding heart attack risk, the research team hopes that extra steps will be taken to encourage men to undergo earlier heart health assessments.
“Our findings underscore that fostering proactive check-ups among younger males could represent a significant opening to enhance cardiac health and diminish cardiovascular disease risk overall,” Friedman concludes.
About the Author
