Latest news with #cardiovascularrisk
Associated Press
2 days ago
- Health
- Associated Press
Women who have been stalked may have a higher risk of heart disease, stroke
Research Highlights: Embargoed until 4 a.m. CT/5 a.m. ET Monday, Aug. 11, 2025 ( NewMediaWire ) - August 11, 2025 - DALLAS — Women who reported having been stalked or obtained a restraining order were each more likely to experience a heart attack and/or stroke in later years compared to those who did not, according to new research published today in the American Heart Association's flagship journal Circulation. 'Although violence against women is common, and evidence has linked violence with consequences for women's later heart health, it is still not widely recognized or routinely considered by health care professionals as a potential cardiovascular risk factor among women,' said study author Rebecca B. Lawn, Ph.D., a research associate in epidemiology at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health in Boston and at the School of Population and Public Health at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, Canada. 'We felt it was essential to look beyond traditional cardiovascular risk factors in women and strengthen our understanding of the relationship between underexplored types of violence and heart health.' About 1 in 3 women have been stalked at some point in their lives, according to data on intimate partner violence collected by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The study notes that common forms of violence against women, such as stalking, are rarely discussed in cardiovascular research. Lawn's previous research linked sexual assault and workplace harassment to higher blood pressure in women. Other studies report that people with restraining orders are more likely to experience poorer health. Researchers analyzed stalking, restraining orders, and heart disease or stroke development among participants in the Nurses' Health Study II, from 2001 to 2021. The analysis includes data for more than 66,000 women, average age 46 years in 2001. These women did not have cardiovascular disease in 2001, when they first shared whether they had experienced stalking or stalking harassment behaviors, such as receiving unsolicited correspondence, that made them fearful. The study also asked if participants had 'ever taken out' a restraining order, which is a legal document that seeks to limit contact between a victim and perpetrator. Obtaining a restraining order was considered a sign of severe violence. The analysis found: 'Stalking is often seen as a form of violence that does not involve physical contact, which may make it seem less serious,' Lawn said. 'However, our findings suggest stalking should not be minimized. Stalking can be chronic, and women often report making significant changes in response such as moving.' Harmony R. Reynolds, M.D., FAHA, immediate past chair of the American Heart Association's Clinical Cardiology & Stroke Women's Health Science Committee, said she was surprised at the strong association this study found between stalking and cardiovascular disease. 'A variety of stressful life experiences are known to increase the risk of cardiovascular disease, including adverse childhood experiences, financial stressors, grief and other experiences,' Reynolds said. 'People subjected to intimate partner violence face about a 30% higher risk of developing cardiovascular disease in the next few years compared to others. While this study shows a more moderate risk, given the long-time frame, it highlights how feeling unsafe can affect the body, in addition to the mind.' Reynolds, the Joel and Joan Smilow Professor of Cardiology and Director of the Sarah Ross Soter Center for Women's Cardiovascular Research at NYU Grossman School of Medicine in New York City, was not involved in this research, and noted that the effects of stress can be long-lasting. 'Perhaps because it is our nature to re-think about things that happen to us, making us experience the situation over and over. However, social support may mitigate the effects of stress. It's helpful to have people you can trust to talk with, whether they are family, friends, people in the community or professionals,' she said. Study authors note that the link between stalking and cardiovascular disease may be due to psychological distress, which may disrupt the nervous system, proper blood vessel function and other biological processes; however, these potential mechanisms were not examined in detail in this study. Lawn said more research, as well as training for health care professionals, is needed to understand the link between stalking or obtaining a restraining order and women's cardiovascular health. 'We also need to increase awareness about the potential health harms of experiencing violence and provide women with help and resources,' she said. Among the study's limitations are that participants—U.S. registered nurses—were mostly non-Hispanic white women. The findings may not apply to other populations or groups of people. The study notes that previous research indicated that, 'violence history, including stalking, is more common among women from minority racial/ethnic backgrounds and those with low income.' In addition, the study relied on participants self-reporting their history of experiencing stalking and restraining orders. Study Background: Co-authors, disclosures and funding sources are listed in the manuscript. Studies published in the American Heart Association's scientific journals are peer-reviewed. The statements and conclusions in each manuscript are solely those of the study authors and do not necessarily reflect the Association's policy or position. The Association makes no representation or guarantee as to their accuracy or reliability. The Association receives more than 85% of its revenue from sources other than corporations. These sources include contributions from individuals, foundations and estates, as well as investment earnings and revenue from the sale of our educational materials. Corporations (including pharmaceutical, device manufacturers and other companies) also make donations to the Association. The Association has strict policies to prevent any donations from influencing its science content and policy positions. Overall financial information is available here. Additional Resources: ### About the American Heart Association The American Heart Association is a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives. Dedicated to ensuring equitable health in all communities, the organization has been a leading source of health information for more than one hundred years. Supported by more than 35 million volunteers globally, we fund groundbreaking research, advocate for the public's health, and provide critical resources to save and improve lives affected by cardiovascular disease and stroke. By driving breakthroughs and implementing proven solutions in science, policy, and care, we work tirelessly to advance health and transform lives every day. Connect with us on Facebook, X or by calling 1-800-AHA-USA1. For Media Inquiries and AHA/ASA Expert Perspective: 214-706-1173 Bridgette McNeill: [email protected] For Public Inquiries: 1-800-AHA-USA1 (242-8721) and
Daily Mail
5 days ago
- Health
- Daily Mail
Strong calf muscles linked to better chances of living a healthy life
If you want a leg up in the longevity stakes, start working on those calf muscles. Scientists say they can be a predictor of cardiovascular risk factors, nutritional status - and even mortality. Experts say muscular calves are a strong indicator of physical performance, especially among the elderly. Muscle decline, known as sarcopenia, generally accelerates after the age of 60 and it can lead to various health problems, including decreased mobility, increased risk of falls and fractures and reduced physical function. Sarcopenia is estimated to affect 10 to 16 per cent of the elderly worldwide and is linked to a higher likelihood of developing multiple other health issues. It is also associated with a significantly increased risk of death, with some studies reporting a 364 per cent higher risk for centenarians with sarcopenia compared to those with normal muscle mass. However, health experts say calf circumference can indicate overall health and disease risk, including sarcopenia, because it is correlated with muscle mass and fat distribution in the body. Some studies suggest looking at calf circumference compared to the circumference of a person's waist. This is because it takes into account both obesity (excess abdominal fat) and muscle mass, making it potentially a better indicator of overall health risks than BMI or waist circumference alone. To calculate your own waist-to-calf ratio (WCR), divide your waist circumference by your calf circumference. Both measurements should be taken in the same units (eg, centimeters or inches). Experts say a healthy WCR is generally around 2.4 or less, in whichever unit you are measuring in. A WCR within this range suggests a healthy balance between middle and lower body fat distribution. Ratios above 2.4 are associated with increased risk of cardiovascular and circulatory diseases, while those below this range are considered healthy. One study by scientists at the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Fuwai Hospital in Beijing looked at data from 37 studies involving 62,736 participants over the age of 18. From their analysis, they found that for each 1 cm (0.4 inches) increase in calf circumference, the risk of death was reduced by five per cent. In another study, led by researchers at the Catholic University of Sacred Heart in Italy, scientists discovered that calf circumference was directly linked to strength elsewhere in the body. They evaluated the relationship between calf circumference and frailty, physical performance, muscle strength, and functional status in people 80 and older. The calf circumference was measured independently at the point of greatest circumference as opposed to in ratio with a person's waist. They found physical performance and muscle strength 'significantly improved' as the calf circumference increased. They also measured the frailty of participants by grading them based on their walking speed, strength, weight, energy levels and levels of exhaustion. When the frailty grades were matched with calf circumference, they found the 'frailty index score was significantly lower among subjects with higher calf circumference'. The experts concluded that their findings support the notion that calf circumference can be an indicator of muscle mass, and potentially strength and overall fitness. They did not state if participants were overweight. Obesity can lead to larger calf circumference measurements simply due to the accumulation of fat, even if the underlying muscle mass is low. This can result in false-normal calf circumference values, potentially masking sarcopenia (age-related muscle loss) or a decline in muscle strength that would otherwise be indicated by a smaller circumference. Last year, another study out of Italy investigated the link between calf circumference and diabetes. The researchers found after analyzing data from 8,900 participants that the WCR values were higher among those with diabetes than in those without diabetes, which affects more than 37 million Americans. Further analyses were conducted to compare the average WCR among subjects with diabetes, pre-diabetes, and no diabetes. The results showed 'significant differences' in the mean values of WCR across the groups, with an average WCR of 2.4 in individuals without diabetes, 2.6 in individuals with pre-diabetes, and 2.7 in diabetic individuals. The researchers concluded: 'Muscle mass plays a crucial role in glucose metabolism and overall metabolic health. 'Indeed, sarcopenia has been linked to insulin resistance and an increased risk of metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular complications.' Additionally, one 2022 study out of China suggests that WCR could also be used as an indicator for cognitive impairment in older adults, which is often considered a precursor to dementia. Researchers recruited 3,312 participants who were free of cognitive impairment and then in a follow-up test more than three years later, they found that 565 of these recruits had developed a decline in mental abilities that affected thinking, memory, and decision-making. From looking at their WCR they found a 'relatively stronger association with cognitive impairment compared with each circumference, suggesting maintaining both higher lean mass and lower central fat in older adults for the prevention of cognitive impairment.' Experts say that strong calf muscles, particularly the soleus muscles, play a role in pumping blood back up to the heart. This contributes to healthy blood pressure and blood flow to the brain, which are crucial for optimal cognitive function.
