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[reason]

The development of atherosclerosis is very different in males versus females. In the commonly used mouse models that develop atherosclerotic plaque in response to a high fat diet this is very evident. Interestingly, ovariectomized female mice develop plaque in a very similar way to male mice, indicating the importance of hormones to the mechanisms of atherosclerosis. In humans, atherosclerosis is broadly a male condition up to the age of menopause, at which point women start to catch up to the male extent of atherosclerotic plaque and subsequent cardiovascular disease and mortality.

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death for both men and women in the United States, though the age of onset differs by sex. Historical estimates suggest men experience earlier onset of coronary heart disease (CHD) by about 10 years as compared with women. Sex-specific differences in CVD are attributed to multiple different pathways, including hormonal influences, differences in cardiovascular health behaviors and factors, and exposure to adverse social determinants of health. Historically, men had higher rates of smoking, diabetes, and hypertension. However, population shifts in cardiometabolic risk phenotypes have resulted in similar or higher rates of obesity, diabetes, and hypertension in women than men. Additionally, the overall prevalence of smoking has decreased and is similar among men and women.

This study analysed data from the CARDIA (Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults) study, a prospective multicenter cohort study. US adults aged 18 to 30 years enrolled in 1985 to 1986 and were followed through August 2020. Sex differences in the cumulative incidence functions of premature CVD (onset earlier than 65 years), were compared overall and for each subtype (CHD, heart failure, stroke).

Among 5,112 participants with a mean age of 24.8 ± 3.7 years at enrollment and a median follow-up of 34.1 years, men had a significantly higher cumulative incidence of CVD, CHD, and heart failure, with no difference in stroke. Men reached 5% incidence of CVD 7.0 years earlier than women (50.5 versus 57.5 years). CHD was the most frequent CVD subtype, and men reached 2% incidence 10.1 years earlier than women. Men and women reached 2% stroke and 1% heart failure incidence at similar ages. Sex differences in CVD risk emerged at age 35, persisted through midlife, and were not attenuated by accounting for cardiovascular health.

Link: https://doi.org/10.1161/JAHA.125.044922

View the full article at FightAging

[Dorian Grey]

Thanks for this reason...  Ferrotoxic Disease is my hobby-horse for health and longevity, with some interesting connections to CVD.

 

Jerome L Sullivan MD, PhD (pathology) was the father of the Iron Hypothesis of heart disease, when pondering the alarming number of relatively young men coming through his pathology lab who had died of CVD. A bit of research turned up high ferritin & iron saturation as something they seemed to have in common. This also explained how women tended to avoid heart disease till a decade or so after menopause, when age related iron accumulation begins to catch up with what men (who do not menstruate) experience earlier in life.

 

Early menopause and hysterectomy is also associated with increased risk for CVD. Science used to assume it was hormonal, until it was seen that hormone replacement therapy did not protect from CVD like menstruation did.

 

The “Kuopio Ischaemic Heart Disease Risk Factor Study” found blood donors (who lower iron through donation) in Finland had an 88% reduced risk of acute myocardial infarction, compared with non-blood donors.  This too good to be true statistic is often explained away as likely due to a "healthy donor" effect. Blood donors may be more health conscious, and reduce CVD by other means. I'll acknowledge this possibility, but does this really explain 100% of the benefit?

 

If blood donation reduced heart disease even 44%, this would be similar to benefit typically seen in statin studies, without the statin side effects.

 

Age related iron accumulation has also been associated with insulin resistance and diabetes, which greatly predisposes heart disease. Genetic iron overload (hemochromatosis) was originally called "Bronze Diabetes", as patients skin tended to tan dramatically with minimal sun exposure, and they all seemed to develop diabetes.

 

Will bloodletting make a comeback in the 21st Century?  Not likely, as it can’t be patented; but most everyone can donate blood if they wish.  I've donated over 10 gallons over the past 30 years, and at 70 years of age, have no chronic health issues or daily meds, despite the fact I have not been particularly fastidious about diet or exercise.

 

Get thee to a blood bank! The life you save may be your own! (donate only whole blood... The iron is in the red cells!)

 

 

Edited by Dorian Grey, Today, 04:31 PM.

[Dorian Grey]

P.S.  If you'd rather not have to deal with cancer if you avoid CVD and live to a ripe old age...  

 

In a randomized controlled study looking at reducing vascular disease by lowering iron: https://pubmed.ncbi....h.gov/18612130/

 

“Decreased Cancer Risk After Iron Reduction in Patients With Peripheral Arterial Disease: Results From a Randomized Trial”

 

they inadvertently discovered, not only were their phlebotomy patients getting far fewer cancers, but when the phlebotomy patients did get cancer, they were more likely to respond to treatment & survive than the high iron control group. 

 

Why not kill two birds (CVD & Cancer) with one stone? (iron reduction through phlebotomy / whole blood donation)

Edited by Dorian Grey, Today, 04:46 PM.

[Mind]

I donate blood as well, for all of the benefits, both to the community at large and for myself.