Men’s heart attack risk starts one decade earlier

Men’s heart attack risk starts around one decade earlier than women’s, new research reveals.

Males are more likely to suffer from an irregular, abnormally fast heartbeat, known as atrial fibrillation, at a younger age, a study review found. Atrial fibrillation increases a person’s risk of having a heart attack.

This is thought to be due to men being more vulnerable to the effects of carrying too much weight, according to the researchers.

Dr Christina Magnussen from the University Heart Center in Hamburg, said: ‘We advise weight reduction for both men and women. 

‘As elevated body mass index seems to be more detrimental for men, weight control seems to be essential, particularly in overweight and obese men.’ 

Men’s heart attack risk starts about one decade earlier than women’s, research reveals (stock)

EVERY EXTRA 2LBS AN OVERWEIGHT PERSON CARRIES CUTS THEIR LIFE EXPECTANCY BY TWO MONTHS

Every extra two pounds an overweight person carries cuts their life expectancy by two months, research revealed earlier this month.

Holding excess weight may shorten a person’s life by raising their risk of coronary artery disease, according to the researchers.

Smoking has the greatest impact on shortening people’s lives, with a packet of cigarettes a day knocking off seven years, the research adds.

The study also revealed every additional year an individual spends in further education extends their lifespan by 11 months by making them more aware of the dangers of smoking.

Study author Dr Peter Joshi from the University of Edinburgh, said: ‘Our study has estimated the causal effect of lifestyle choices. We found that, on average, smoking a pack a day reduces lifespan by seven years, whilst losing one kilogram of weight will increase your lifespan by two months.’ 

How the research was carried out 

The researchers analysed 79,793 people from four previous studies with an average age of 49.

None of the study review’s participants had atrial fibrillation at the start of their respective trials.

The participants were followed for an average of 12 years. 

Men develop an irregular heartbeat a decade earlier 

Results reveal men develop atrial fibrillation around a decade earlier than women.

This is thought to be due to men being more vulnerable to the effects of having a dangerously raised BMI, which is a recognised risk factor for atrial fibrillation.

Men are more likely to suffer from the condition after the age of 50, while women’s risk increases from 60.

Atrial fibrillation sufferers of either sex are 3.5 times more likely to die prematurely. 

Dr Magnussen said: ‘It’s crucial to better understand modifiable risk factors of atrial fibrillation.

‘If prevention strategies succeed in targeting these risk factors, we expect a noticeable decline in new-onset atrial fibrillation.

‘We advise weight reduction for both men and women. 

‘As elevated body mass index seems to be more detrimental for men, weight control seems to be essential, particularly in overweight and obese men.’ 

The findings were published in the journal Circulation. 

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