1 July, 2016

Age: not just a number anymore

It's never too late for certain things in life, like learning a new language, going on a world tour or getting a fancy new haircut. However, some things in life are meant to happen within a certain age.

The human body is an amazing work of art, and is capable of many wonders. An ageing body, though, may not be able to keep pace. Today, many womentend to put pregnancy on hold in favour of their career. Recent research has shown that in addition to difficulty in conception, having a child when one is over 40 years of age can do a number on the heart.

The study in question was presented recently at the American Stroke Association'sInternational Stroke Conference in Los Angeles, California, and included data from 72,221 women aged between 50- 79 years of age. Of these, 3,306 women reported getting pregnant at the age of 40 years or more.The researchers evaluated their rates of stroke, heart attack and death from heart disease, and compared them with those of women who had children when they were younger than 40 years of age. They found that women who had children when they were over 40 were at higher risk of ischemic stroke by 1.4% and at higher risk of hemorrhagic stroke by 0.5%. In addition, they were at 0.5% higher risk of heart attack and at 1.6% higher risk of dying from heart disease.

The researchers recommended that women be informed of these risks, and that doctors remain watchful of their patients who had children late in life, in order to prevent stroke or heart disease. Being informed would enable the women to take necessary steps to improve their heart health. The biological clock ticks on, and counting the seconds matters, now more than ever!

Source: www.timesofindia.com

01.07.2016

The good physician treats the disease; the great physician treats the patient who has the disease

William Osler