A prospective study of aspirin use and primary prevention of cardiovascular disease in women

Article Abstract:

A number of studies have shown that aspirin can help reduce deaths and disease from cardiovascular events in patients who have had previous cardiovascular problems. However, these studies have not been able to determine whether aspirin affects women differently from men. Studies examining the preventive value of aspirin for people who have not yet had heart problems have had promising results, but these studies have only been performed on men. This study examined the effectiveness of aspirin taken on a regular basis in preventing first time cardiovascular events in women. Data regarding aspirin use and cardiovascular disease were obtained from the Nurses' Health Study. Questionnaires from 1980 to 1986 obtained from 87,678 women were examined. None of the women had prior histories of cardiovascular disease. The women were categorized by aspirin use and rates of cardiovascular events (e.g. heart attacks) were established for the various groups. Results showed that 40 percent of the women took aspirin on a regular basis. During the period of the study, there were 198 strokes, 81 deaths from heart disease, and 240 nonfatal heart attacks. For women that took one to six aspirins per week, there was a 32 percent reduction in the risk for a heart attack compared with those that did not take aspirin regularly. This reduction was not seen when the number of aspirin taken per week was seven or more. The reduced risk was not seen in women under the age of 50. The risk for stroke was not different among the groups. The risk for death from cardiovascular disease was lower, but not statistically significant, for the women who took one to six aspirins per week. These results indicate that aspirin taken on a regular basis may lower the risk of a first heart attack in women whose risk is high. Further studies using randomized trials are needed to confirm this finding. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Cases, Women, Demographic aspects, Coronary heart disease, Heart attack, Women's health, Aspirin, Preventive medicine, Medicine, Preventive

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A prospective study of body mass index, weight change, and risk of stroke in women

Article Abstract:

Obesity and weight gain may increase a woman's risk of stroke. This is one of the conclusions of the Nurses' Health Study, which has followed 116,759 nurses since 1976. As of 1992, there were 866 strokes in the group, 403 of which were caused by a blood clot that blocked blood flow to the brain (ischemic strokes) and 260 of which were hemorrhagic strokes. The risk of ischemic stroke rose as a woman's body mass index (BMI) rose and was more than twice as high in women with a BMI of 32 or greater. Weight gain also increased the risk of ischemic stroke.

Risk factors, Obesity, Weight gain

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Intake of Fish and Omega-3 Fatty Acids and Risk of Stroke in Women

Article Abstract:

Women who eat fish several times a week can reduce their risk of stroke by about half, according to a study of 79,839 women participating in the Nurses' Health Study. Fish are a good source of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, which may protect against cardiovascular disease.

Nutritional aspects, Fish oils in human nutrition, Fish oils

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