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- $Unique_ID{BRK00829}
- $Pretitle{}
- $Title{Is it True that Heart Attack Risk Increases for Women with Diabetes?}
- $Subject{heart attack diabetes mellitus risk factor women Endocrine gland
- pancreas Circulatory angina sensitivity insulin cardiovascular risk}
- $Volume{C-7}
- $Log{
- Structure of the Pancreas*0009801.scf
- Diabetes Mellitus*0009802.scf
- The Functions of Insulin*0009803.scf}
-
- Copyright (c) 1991-92,1993 Tribune Media Services, Inc.
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-
- Is it True that Heart Attack Risk Increases for Women with Diabetes?
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-
- QUESTION: Is it true that the risk of heart attack increases for women
- suffering from diabetes?
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-
- ANSWER: Normally, men are more at risk of experiencing heart attacks then
- women. However, studies of diabetic patients have shown that while this
- condition does not increase the risk of heart disease for men, it has
- precisely that effect on women. The result of this gender-related difference
- is that diabetic men and women have a roughly equal chance of developing heart
- disease. According to this research, women appear to develop a more "male"
- type of heart disease than they otherwise would, with more heart attacks but
- less angina (the sense of suffocation or suffocating pain that is a common
- symptom of heart disease). Doctors have theorized that this difference is due
- to the greater sensitivity to insulin that women normally possess, which
- reflects their stronger cardiovascular risk profile. This natural advantage
- is lost in diabetes, where the disease either reduces insulin secretion or
- increases the body's resistance to its effects.
- None of this minimizes the importance of controlling one's diet, smoking
- and blood pressure, all far more important in reducing the risk of heart
- disease for men, women, the diabetic and nondiabetic alike.
-
- ----------------
-
- The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace
- the counsel and advice of your personal physician. Promptly consulting your
- doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical
- problem.
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-