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$Pretitle{Circulatory System}
$Title{Does Cholesterol Affect Women Differently than Men?}
$Subject{cholesterol women}
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Cholesterol in the Arteries*0002701.scf
Cholesterol:  the Liver and HDL*0002702.scf
Cholesterol:  Aerobic Exercise*0002703.scf}

Copyright (c) 1991   Tribune Media Services, Inc.


Does Cholesterol Affect Women Differently than Men?


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QUESTION:  My reading tells me there might be some differences in the way
cholesterol affects men and women.  Is it true that high cholesterol has a
different meaning in women?

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ANSWER:  High cholesterol, which can ultimately lead to cardiovascular
disease, is a health concern for both men and women.  But as your question
suggests, there are differences in the way it affects the two sexes.  To begin
with, heart disease usually affects women at a much later age than
men--frequently after the age of sixty-six.  Since the incidence of heart
disease remains low in women until after menopause, it is believed that
estrogen has a protective influence for women.  This further substantiated by
the fact that lipid and lipoprotein levels are similar in boys and girls until
puberty.  At that point, apparently due to hormonal changes, levels of low and
high density lipoprotein cholesterol change, decreasing cardiovascular risk in
women and increasing it in men.  High density levels, found in women
throughout life, are known to remove cholesterol from peripheral areas of the
body, including the arterial wall.  Therefore, women are usually at a much
lower risk for complications than men.  After menopause, however, low density
levels of lipoprotein cholesterol rise and actually surpass those in men of
similar age.  At that point, women become as likely a target as men for
cardiovascular disease.
     Women who have diabetes, high levels of triglyceride (a type of fat), or
a history of heart disease in their family can be at high risk for problems
throughout their life, and in such cases, comprehensive testing should be
performed on a routine basis.  Despite the protective influence of estrogen,
we must keep in mind that heart disease is the most common cause of death for
both men and women, and for this reason, monitoring cholesterol levels in
female patients should be treated just as seriously as it is for men.
ÿ
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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.
