SOMETIME ago, we wrote about a wife, who was diligently attending to her husband who survived a heart attack. Little did she realize she had clogged arteries in her heart, too; she had a heart attack and didn’t survive it.

Many women caring for their sick husbands are in the same situation, the sword of Damocles hanging over their heads without them realizing it. We’re glad that the Council on Women’s Health of the Philippine Heart Association is actively waging an information campaign to alert women, particularly those of postmenopausal age, about their cardiovascular risk.

Younger women usually are protected by their reproductive hormones, especially estrogen, so young women have a much lower risk for cardiovascular disease than young men. But after menopause, women catch up with the men in terms of cardiovascular risk, and after age 51, women’s risk of dying from heart attack and stroke may even exceed that of men depending on the risk factors present. Postmenopausal women’s risk for heart disease is estimated at 46 percent, and for stroke, 20 percent.

Increased risk

Some studies show that women who reach menopause at an early age are at increased risk of heart disease. Another published study also suggests that women who have cardiovascular risk factors such as smoking, high total cholesterol levels, high blood pressure, and diabetes during premenopause may enter menopause earlier than women without these risk factors.

The increased cardiovascular risk in postmenopausal women has been largely attributed to the declining levels of estrogen produced by the female reproductive organs. Estrogen has been shown to have the following beneficial effects:

• Favorable effect on the cholesterol levels. Studies show that two years before menopause, estrogen levels begin to decline, and with its decline, an increase in the levels of the harmful low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol is seen with a decrease in the high-density lipoprotein (HDL) or good cholesterol.

• Beneficial effects on the blood vessels. With sufficient levels of estrogen, the lining of the blood vessels or arteries is smoother, allowing it to relax and dilate, improving the blood flow or circulation, and reducing the blood pressure.

• Antioxidant benefits. Estrogen is a potent antioxidant, neutralizing oxygen-free radicals that are released by natural chemical processes in the body, which can cause significant injury and malfunction of the arteries and the vital organs they supply blood to.

With menopause, all these estrogenic benefits disappear and the postmenopausal woman is likened to a lady warrior who loses her iron vest in battle.

The PHA Council on Women’s Health will be embarking on a comprehensive women’s health program that includes research, education and empowerment of women. When women are well-informed, they will be in a better position to help themselves and forewarn other women. The council will be conducting lay forums nationwide and in their sorties, the council members will also do awareness surveys and risk factor screening.

Fund-raising dinner

A few days ago, the council sponsored a fund-raising dinner at the Manila Polo Club attended by prominent people from the government, medical community, show biz and trimedia. Titled “Plate It for Women’s Sake,” donors and advocates were treated to a night that delighted all senses—a truly sight, sound and gustatory treat. “Plate it” might as well mean that women should be more conscious with what they put on their plates, especially after their hormonal protection diminishes.

Giving the affair a personalized touch, current president Dr. Belen Carisma led the PHA board of directors and council members in attending to the guests by serving as waiters and waitresses, bartenders, usherettes and valet attendants.

The council chair is Dr. Mila Yamamoto. The other members are Doctors Belen Carisma, Babes Manlapit, Eleanor Lopez, Tess Abola, Babes Tamayo, Leny Iboleon-Dy, Angie Aguirre, Sharon Lacson, Cynthia Llarena, Marie Frances Purino, Erlyn Demeri, Juliet Balderas, Helen Ong-Garcia and Clarissa Mendoza.

Anyone interested in the activities of the council—or those who wish to donate to its operational funds—may call the secretariat at 929-1161 or 929-1166.