Hyderabad: Girls, who menstruate before the age of 12, are 10 per cent more likely to develop cardiovascular diseases than those who attain it at the age of 13 or 14, according to a study.
Researchers found that those who started menstruating early were at a greater risk of heart diseases later in their life.
The ideal age for girls to start menstruating is 13. The researchers examined data of more than 5,00,000 middle-aged adults who didn’t have a history of heart disease.
The heart disease is now emerging as a number one killer among women with one in three deaths attributed to it.
Dr Shiv Kumar, a senior cardiologist, said, “The age factor during the first monthly cycle is taken into account in heart diseases but along with that obesity and other lifestyle disorders also contribute to cardiovascular diseases.”
“Hence, we can say that the early cycle predisposes them but how they take care of their health and maintain themselves can also work towards preventing the disease,” he added.
Interestingly, women’s heart issues are closely studied only now.
There was a myth that they would not have heart problems because of the monthly cycle. But that is not the case.
Reproductive health factors also influence the risk of heart disease in women.
The history of childbirth and miscarriages are also linked to cardiovascular health. Dr K.K. Aggarwal, a senior cardiologist, added, “Women who undergo hysterectomy face the risk of cardiovascular diseases.”
