A study of 135,000 over 18 year olds, by researchers in Baylor College of Medicine, Houston , Texas, published in the British Medical Journal , identifies that the risk of extremely premature heart disease , defined as a heart attack, angina or stroke before age 40 , is directly affected by the use of recreational drugs:
tobacco Twice as likely
cannabis Two and a half times more likely
alcohol 50% more likely
cocaine Two and a half times more likely
Amphetamines three times more likely
So why isn't it fair ? Well men who used substances were generally up to 3 times more likely to have problems. Women who used substances were up to seven times more likely to develop problems.
The research was purely observational so reasons why were not observed.
Cocaine and Amphetamines use was also associated with faster cell ageing and neurocognitive decline- Louisiana Ste University.
Written by
Ianc2
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Yes it’s one of the problems following women’s liberation when women started copying men’s bad habits only to find our size and physiology can’t cope with them as well . The same is frequently true of prescription drugs who are largely tested on men, doses and side effects documented as a result which frequently doesn’t work for women either . One of the reasons more women don’t sign up for more drug trials is their fertility , possibly also more risk averse . As far as conserving health is concerned am afraid there is a lot to be said for what was considered “ladylike” behaviour !
I live with an under studied, poorly recognised and understood heart condition that seems to effect women more than men.
' being lady like'
What does that mean ?
Does it mean keeping my mouth shut and not advocating for the same standard of care that a man receives or keeping quiet when I am examined without my consent by a male Consultant?
Does it mean I should stop advocating for my fellow patients helping them access the care they need?
Encouraging Cardiologists are educated to gain more knowledge of my heart condition?
The BHF started a campaign to raise awareness about this bias.
It is a real issue. If you are women you a more likely to have your heart attack misdiagnosed, not recieve the same evidence based treatment as a man, less likely to be offered Cardiac rehabilitation.
Don’t be ridiculous . Being ladylike in the way I used it refers to not smoking, drinking and taking drugs you are off on a tangent of your own that has nothing to do with what I said. Don’t put words in my mouth
Indeed. It’s how we do it and whether it’s on the point of the thread which I was and you weren’t . I don’t think we do disagree I have posted on the unequal treatment of women in heart disease and trials . I am not being taken to task over things I haven’t said
Though while an individual poster may know what they meant to say sometimes because of the limitations of communicating on a forum by words only, this can lead to a different understanding of the original poster's thoughts.
I have an idea of what you mean. I wish I had never smoked 40 years ago. If I had paid more attention to all the hereditary factors in my family - so many of them died of heart attacks - I may not have needed a bypass at 77. It took me until I was 50 and post menopause until I took myself in hand but it was too late. My cardiologist attributed my heart disease to smoking all those years ago. I am old enough now to look at younger women and men and see them being over indulgent and smoking and drinking too much and long to say Stop .
I’m sorry that happened to you. It’s not just heart disease . Women who drink 3 glasses of wine a week have a 15% increased risk of breast cancer and the risk goes up the more they drink . There are so many younger women being diagnosed these days you have to wonder . You can’t watch a TV program without the heroine having a glass of wine in her hand and soap operas are centred around the pub . A&E depts are full of people admitted for alcohol problems and we’ ve all seen the news coverage of, it’s usually girls , out of their minds on drink at risk of all sorts . Not a surprise that AF diagnoses are continuing to rise . It’s a pity that drinking a lot has become not merely socially acceptable but the norm and that so much advertising is aimed at women . The tanqueray gin ad is my personal favourite. Very glamorous !
I might add I stopped smoking and drinking when pregnant but started again months after. Now I don’t see any advantage to either smoking or drinking and life is not boring
I agree . Afternoon tea qualifies as a treat ( though they tend to try and get you to have a glass of fizz with that ). I think a problem is peer pressure among the young, and not so young . Going out for dinner when such things were allowed not having wine would be met with raised eyebrows. But splitting a bottle of wine is more detrimental to women because our bodies can’t cope with the alcohol as well as a usually larger male body . Drinking and smoking also ruins the collagen in your skin and makes your appearance age faster . There are big business interests peddling alcohol but am sure the growing health consequences will eventually cause governments to act . Alcohol is too available to the young many of whom can pass for 18 long before they are that age
Oh my giddy aunt! Read the book 'Invisible Women' by Caroline Criado Perez!! You will see just how women are left out and treated the same as men. Our hormones are the problem!
I’ve been a Complementary Therapist for 23 years and heard all sorts which incenses me! I cannot believe in this day and age being fibbed off with the old Victorian fob offs.
Pity she didn’t do a zoom meeting, but I think she had a health problem.
While we are on this subject I would like to say that it is important to push for any uncertainty you feel with your doctors diagnoses . In my case I was having chest pains for two years. All my tests cam back negative including many ecg’s . It was only when I started having chest pains when I was lying in bed that I went to A&E and was admitted to hospital for a bypass. I was fit and played tennis 3 time s a week. Only 3 weeks ago my husband started to get breathless on exertion.. All his tests (blood and heart and lung tests came back negative. I kept telling his doctor that I thought he was anemic but his doctor said his blood tests were fine. It was only last week when he was in a really bad state that he was admitted to hospital and they eventually discovered that yes he was very anemic - so much that he has had 3 transfusions. I just want to emphasise that I am not a medic but sometimes you have to really push for what you feel is not right
I don't trust observational studies. Anyone, male or female, who abuse substances must be well aware of the potential consequences. Did they also note how many had cancer etc? What was family history? How many were run over by a bus! Life choices.
I thought this was a forum for where people, men and woman, can discus their health issues. Ill health by definition is not fair. It is not fair that women live longer than men or that children die before their grandparents either but if women choose to indulge in drug and alcohol abuse don't you think that they should take some responsibility for their actions.
I agree. In an ideal world every body should have equal treatment what ever that 'treatment' is. However as my Grandmother used to say "If you know it's wrong, don't do it and if you do then it's your fault if anything happens. Don't try and blame it on someone else"
Such simple & effective words as often the best advice is. Sounds like a wise lady. Loved the straight talking of my grandparents & their generation as a whole.
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