Discuss the effects of Heart Disease on the body of a woman in menopause.

WOMAN IN MENOPAUSE 10

Gerontology and Nutrition: Effects of Heart Disease on the Body of a Woman in Menopause

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Running head: WOMAN IN MENOPAUSE 1

Effects of Heart Disease on the Body of a Woman in Menopause

Heart diseases include abnormal heart rhythms, heart values abnormalities, heart failure, and coronary artery disease. It is a group of diseases in which it is associated with men in United States. However, the number of women reporting the problem continues to increase annually. According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, heart disease killed around 2999,578 women in 2017 meaning 1 out of every 5 female deaths. Heart disease is also the leading cause of death for white women and African Americans. Among the Alaska Native and American Indians women, cancer and heart disease contribute to a similar amount of deaths. For Pacific Islanders and Hispanics, cancer is the first cause of death while heart disease is the second health problem. The number of women with coronary heart disease who are above 20 years accounts for 6.2 percent of the USA population. Many women might not experience any symptoms include pain in the back or upper abdomen, pain in the throat, jaw, neck, and angina. Other systems include nausea, vomiting, and fatigue. The paper discusses heart diseases with a focus on elderly women (women in menopause), perception of heart diseases, and nutritional preferences.

Physiological (Body) System and Impact of Heart Diseases to the Body

The heart is a complex organ whose main responsibility is pumping blood through the body through a system made of nodes, valves, chambers, and muscle layers. The heart contains four chambers that allow pumping of blood into the body and out of the body (Mattioli et al. 2017). The heart also has its own circulation system in addition to ability to receive electric implies, which makes the heart relax and contact (Kaur & Kochar, 2015). These processes lead to cardiac cycle. Ineffectiveness and problems such as clogged arteries to infections affect the health of an individual leading to problems such as strokes and heart diseases. The various diseases associated with the heart affects a person in different ways.

Coronary heart disease (CHD) kills many people in the USA and it is the common type of heart. A substance called plaque usually builds up in an individual’s heart arteries. The presence of the plaque continues to clog the pipe, which occurs over time (Luzia et al. 2015). Clogged blood flow means that the body does not get enough oxygen leading to chest problems such as angina (Muka et al. 2016). Without enough oxygen, the body’s cell cannot function effectively, and a complete block of artery leads to heart attack. Some signs in women include pressure or tightness in addition to shortness of breath.

Heart valve disease guides the blood throughout the heart. The process involves flaps opening and closing with each heartbeat. It is part of the sound that a person hears while the heart is beating. Three problems, which can affect the heart, are stenosis, backflow, and atresia (Luzia et al. 2015). Stenosis prevents the effective flow of blood; backflow encourages the blood to move backward instead of forward and atresia is no opening meaning the blood cannot flow (Muka et al. 2016). Symptoms include murmur, swishing and whooshing sounds, which cause blood flow problems and heart work harder. Other impacts on the body include shortness of breath, more tired than usual, swollen legs, belly, and ankles.

Arrhythmia is when the heart skips a beat or flutters. A condition makes changes to an individual heart even though it is harmless. The heartbeat of an individual is associated with short bursts of electricity and minor changes in such an arrangement are not a problem (Mattioli et al. 2017). However, serious arrhythmia might forces the body not to function effectively, which causes serious problems (Kaur & Kochar, 2015). The serious symptoms include the heart beating faster or slower. The outcome is inability of body organs getting the right amount of oxygen (Muka et al. 2016). A person might also feel lightheaded, chest pain or even faint. The worsening of the condition is called fibrillation, which is a condition that makes the heart to quiver, preventing it from pumping blood.

A heart infection is viruses, bacteria, or other germs that cause heart infection. The infections can affect an individual slowly while other times, it comes with force, which results in life-threatening conditions (Muka et al. 2016). The symptoms of infection depend on the type of infection (Luzia et al. 2015). For example, a person with replacement heart value and the region is infected; the germs build around the area. Some symptoms of heart infections include tiredness, shortness of breath, fever, and changes in heart rhythm.

Differences in Diagnosis Based on Time and Impact on the Body System in addition to Person’s Attitude towards the Disease

Understanding the history of the heart condition, and the components associated with the health condition is important. In situations that a female patient has been diagnosed for 25 years, the information of such a patient is well known meaning management of the problem is effective (Mattioli et al. 2017). However, those individuals who are recently diagnosed create problems because of lack of information, confounding factors and other variables, which impact the health of the patient (Kaur & Kochar, 2015). The history of a patient who has had the disease for more than 25 years contains elements such as related diseases: for example, diabetes and obesity. Therefore, having long-term knowledge is important in better management of the problem compared to situation in which limited information is available.

The person suffering from heart disease for 25 years knows the numerous changes that have occurred. It includes changes in the arteries and veins including clogging (Mattioli et al. 2017). The type of heart disease comes with its respective complications meaning the side effects and challenges differ (Luzia et al. 2015). For example, infection leads to additional complications such as hardening of the heart, which prevents it from pumping the blood to other parts of the body. The role of heart is to pump blood: the blood contains nutrients and oxygen. Individuals suffering from heart disease for more than 25 years would have difficulty and challenges in accomplishing their assigned duties and responsibilities.

The attitude of the patient also plays an important role. The patient should recognize the nature of the condition, and other factors associated with the disease. The aim is to create awareness and understanding of the condition (Mattioli et al. 2017). The attitude also points to the management of the condition, and the decision to advance medical advice (Muka et al. 2016). In addition, understanding the condition and embracing the right practices lead to better management of the condition (Kaur & Kochar, 2015). Therefore, those patients who are unable to manage their condition have an increased risk of developing other health complications. However, a positive attitude is important in making a patient adhere to medical recommendations. In addition, such a patient embraces the ideology of best practices.

Older Woman with Well-Controlled Heart Disease and an Older Woman with Uncontrolled Heart Disease and Perceptions

After menopause, women have an increased risk of heart disease. One of the reasons is attributed to decrease levels of female hormone estrogen, which starts at the age of 50 years. Estrogen is lined with good cholesterol (higher levels of high-density lipoprotein) and lower bad cholesterol (Mattioli et al. 2017). The inability of a woman’s body to produce natural estrogen leads to increase in production of bad cholesterol and a decrease in good cholesterol, which increases the risk of heart disease (Luzia et al. 2015). The life expectancy of women in America is around 79 years and the continued increase in age automatically means a person becomes susceptible to diseases and other health complications. These conditions affect the women in different ways, which also references the differences between an older woman with well-controlled heart disease and an older woman with uncontrolled heart disease.

The woman with well-controlled heart disease can reverse the health implications. Maintaining is the most important aspect but it is possible to reverse the entire problem. Well maintained heart disease also points to the need for sustainability when it comes to the treatment regime (Kaur & Kochar, 2015). The objective is to create a platform in which the medical concerns of the patients are concern, which includes prevention of worsening of the condition (Mattioli et al. 2017). It is possible through recognizing that a well-maintained condition prevents opportunity based health conditions. Uncontrolled heart disease leads to additional complications such as inability of an individual to exercise and engage in other physical related activities. The person is also vulnerable meaning additional health complications can be reported.

Special Nutrition Related Considerations

Elderly women patients with heart disease have decreased natural prediction of estrogen. It means these individuals do not have enough good type of cholesterol. The objective is to increase the good cholesterol to meet the developmental requirements. The choice of nutrition directly affects the level of cholesterol (Mattioli et al. 2017). Elderly women should take olive oil, which addresses complications associated with LDL cholesterol. Eating beans, legumes, and whole grains is also important in managing the health of such individuals. High fiber food and fatty fish are also crucial for the health and development of elderly women. Even younger women would benefit from such a diet.

Thirty-five years would women with heart disease are also susceptible to numerous complications and eating the right diet is important. Diet and exercising are important for such a segment. For example, age implies that women might continue being productive, which increases pressure on heart disease and condition (Luzia et al. 2015). Therefore, the vigorous lifestyle and the energetic conditions require a balanced diet that incorporates carbohydrates for energy, proteins for muscles, and vitamins to improve the immune system (Ra, Kim & Jeong, 2019). In addition, to the food for elderly persons, the segment should recognize the importance of incorporating diets with variety of food. For example, eating more legumes, whole grains, fruits, and vegetables is important (Kaur & Kochar, 2015). Choosing fat calories is also important in managing the health condition. For instance, it is important to limit saturated fat, avoid artificial fats, and carefulness when it comes to fats and other spicy ingredients (Mattioli et al. 2017). Serving a variety of protein-rich foods including vegetable sources of protein, fish and lean meat is crucial. Blood cholesterol levels can increase due to consuming high-fat dairy products and red meat especially women who have already reported the health condition. Taking enough water is also important in addition to including the right kind of carbs such as sweet potatoes, quinoa, oatmeal, and brown rice.

The elderly and young think about numerous things when it comes to their health requirements. Heart disease has a high risk of death meaning the individuals would prefer a diet that increases their lifespan (Mattioli et al. 2017). The elderly want to stay with their grandchildren while the 35 years old want to support their children (Muka et al. 2016). In addition, the medical expenses are usually high meaning that it creates a platform for socio-economic problems. Issues such as caring and supporting the sick also raise numerous concerns for both age segments.

The older person’s lifestyle is different from a younger person's lifestyle. The older person is unable or faces challenges in exercising. The movement of elderly persons is also limited meaning such individuals are unable to control their health conditions and requirements (Ra, Kim & Jeong, 2019). The digestive system is also affected and other parts that require effective utilization of food are challenging (Kaur & Kochar, 2015). Moreover, chewing and processing food requires exercise. A younger person is exposed to the world meaning such an individual wants to enjoy their respective lifestyles (Luzia et al. 2015). It includes taking alcohol, smoking, eating high cholesterol food, and other behaviors that contribute to increased heart disease risk (Mattioli et al. 2017). Stress is also a major problem for developing individuals because of day to day activities. A combination of stress and poor dietary requirements affects the health and increases risk of heart diseases.

Conclusion

In conclusion, heart diseases have been associated with men for long but the number of women continues to increase. The changing lifestyles lead to an increase in heart diseases. Various heart diseases exist ranging from heart attack to heart infection, which affects differently the young and the elderly. The attitudes and perceptions of sick persons determine and influence the success of the treatment plans. Having a positive and right attitude automatically contributes to the betterment of health of an individual. Heart diseases affect the body of an individual in different ways including the inability to breath, lack of oxygen distribution, clogging and inability of an individual to accomplish their respective duties.

References

Kaur, H., & Kochar, R. (2015). Obesity and Menopause: A New Nutritional Concern. ARC J Nutr Growth, 1(1), 8-13.

Luzia, L. A., Aldrighi, J. M., Damasceno, N. R. T., Sampaio, G. R., Soares, R. A. M., Silva, I. T., ... & da Silva Torres, E. A. F. (2015). Fish oil and vitamin E change lipid profiles and anti-LDL-antibodies in two different ethnic groups of women transitioning through menopause. Nutrición Hospitalaria, 32(1), 165-174.

Mattioli, A. V., Coppi, F., Migaldi, M., Scicchitano, P., Ciccone, M. M., & Farinetti, A. (2017). Relationship between Mediterranean diet and asymptomatic peripheral arterial disease in a population of pre-menopausal women. Nutrition, Metabolism and Cardiovascular Diseases, 27(11), 985-990.

Muka, T., Oliver-Williams, C., Colpani, V., Kunutsor, S., Chowdhury, S., Chowdhury, R., ... & Franco, O. H. (2016). Association of vasomotor and other menopausal symptoms with risk of cardiovascular disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis. PloS One, 11(6), e0157417.

Ra, J. S., Kim, H. S., & Jeong, Y. H. (2019). Associated Factors of Ischemic Heart Disease Identified Among Post-Menopausal Women. Osong Public Health and Research Perspectives, 10(2), 56.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (2019, May 14). Heart disease: Women and Heart Disease. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/heartdisease/women.htm