Men develop atherosclerosis earlier than women

Men get atherosclerosis much earlier than women. There is a difference of over ten years between the sexes, shows a new Swedish study. The differences cannot be explained by differences in lifestyle habits between women and men.

» Updated: October 01 2024

» Published: September 24 2024

Men develop atherosclerosis earlier than women
Photo: Samuel Steén/TT

Share this article

Fatty deposits, or atherosclerosis as it is also called, means that fat accumulates on the inside of blood vessels. This buildup makes it harder for blood to pass through and increases the risk of, among other things, heart attack and stroke.

It has long been known that women are often older than men when they are affected by cardiovascular disease. Why this is the case is not entirely clear, but one theory is that estrogen has a protective effect.

13 years younger

Researchers at Linköping University Hospital have now seen that men, on average, are between 11 and 13 years younger than women when they develop fatty deposits.

We were surprised by the large difference, says Eva Swahn, professor of cardiology and chief physician at Linköping University, who was responsible for the study.

In the study, which was published in the European Heart Journal: Cardiovascular Imaging, 25,580 people between 50 and 65 years old were examined with computed tomography of the coronary arteries and ultrasound of the neck arteries. The researchers took into account other known risk factors for fatty deposits and atherosclerosis, such as smoking, high blood pressure, diabetes, diet, and socioeconomic status. But even after this, the fact remains that men develop changes much earlier in life than women.

Silent disease

Those who are affected by narrowing of the vessels do not notice it, at least not initially. If it is detected, treatment with, among other things, lipid-lowering and anticoagulant medications is available, but the fatty deposits that already exist do not completely disappear. The most important thing is lifestyle changes.

There is no general screening of blood vessels, as it is not considered cost-effective. However, diet, exercise, and other lifestyle habits are the most effective against narrowing of the vessels, both for prevention and to reduce the risk of worsening.

The study shows that we need to focus on men in these ages so that they do not suffer from heart attack and stroke in the middle of life. It is the lifestyle factors that are most important, says Eva Swahn.

The study is based on data from the Heart-Lung Foundation's major research initiative SCAPIS.

Fatty deposits mean that fat has accumulated on the inside of blood vessels over a long period of time. This makes it harder for blood to pass through. It can lead to blood clots that can cause cardiovascular disease.

Fatty deposits do not initially cause symptoms. You will only experience discomfort when so much fat has accumulated in the same place that the blood vessel has become narrow or when a blood clot has formed. Then you can get a heart attack, angina pectoris in the heart or legs, stroke, or other symptoms.

You can reduce the risk of fatty deposits by not smoking, eating healthily, and being physically active.

Source:1177

Tags

Author

TTT
By TTEnglish edition by Sweden Herald, adapted for local and international readers

More news

Harmful Boxwood Moth Spreading Rapidly Across Sweden
1 MIN READ

Harmful Boxwood Moth Spreading Rapidly Across Sweden

Man Found Dead in Kristinehamn Archipelago; Murder Investigation Launched
1 MIN READ

Man Found Dead in Kristinehamn Archipelago; Murder Investigation Launched

Shooting in Flemingsberg Leaves Two Men Injured
1 MIN READ

Shooting in Flemingsberg Leaves Two Men Injured

Scania Healthcare Workers Urge Sweden to Accept Gaza Patients
1 MIN READ

Scania Healthcare Workers Urge Sweden to Accept Gaza Patients

Person Released After Detention in Kallhäll Double Murder Case
1 MIN READ

Person Released After Detention in Kallhäll Double Murder Case

SOS Alarm Resolves Nationwide Technical Issues Affecting Ambulance Dispatch
1 MIN READ

SOS Alarm Resolves Nationwide Technical Issues Affecting Ambulance Dispatch

Two Seriously Injured in Head-On Collision on E14 in Åre
1 MIN READ

Two Seriously Injured in Head-On Collision on E14 in Åre

6,000 Residents to Relocate as Kiruna Mine Expansion Continues
1 MIN READ

6,000 Residents to Relocate as Kiruna Mine Expansion Continues

Cyberattack Hits 76 Miljödata Customers Causing Data Loss
2 MIN READ

Cyberattack Hits 76 Miljödata Customers Causing Data Loss

Woman in Her 50s Detained for Murder in Ulricehamn
1 MIN READ

Woman in Her 50s Detained for Murder in Ulricehamn

22-Year-Old Charged with Contract Killing in Malmö
1 MIN READ

22-Year-Old Charged with Contract Killing in Malmö

Princess Madeleine Responds to Criticism of Skincare Brand Launch
2 MIN READ

Princess Madeleine Responds to Criticism of Skincare Brand Launch

Exotic Tree Species Proposed to Combat Climate Change in Swedish Forestry
3 MIN READ

Exotic Tree Species Proposed to Combat Climate Change in Swedish Forestry

Rescue Service Error Leads to Woman's Death in Öland Fire
2 MIN READ

Rescue Service Error Leads to Woman's Death in Öland Fire

Secret Network Smuggles Black Money from Europe to Turkey
1 MIN READ

Secret Network Smuggles Black Money from Europe to Turkey

Young People Pessimistic About Sweden's Future but Confident in Themselves
3 MIN READ

Young People Pessimistic About Sweden's Future but Confident in Themselves

Ismail Abdo Faces New Drug Charges in Sweden and Norway
1 MIN READ

Ismail Abdo Faces New Drug Charges in Sweden and Norway

Stockholm Waterworks in Urgent Need of Renovation and Support
1 MIN READ

Stockholm Waterworks in Urgent Need of Renovation and Support

Students Caught Gaming During Lessons at 22 Upper Secondary Schools
1 MIN READ

Students Caught Gaming During Lessons at 22 Upper Secondary Schools

Two Killed in Gas Bus and Car Crash Near Stockholm
2 MIN READ

Two Killed in Gas Bus and Car Crash Near Stockholm