Researchers identified a gene called BCAR1, which is involved in many processes within the body that are affected by estrogen. Researchers from the University College of London studied a group of genes which were previously linked to increased risk of artery disease. The researchers examined data from nearly 4,000 men and women, comparing their genes and artery thickness and health.
Two versions of the BCAR1 gene was investigated: GG, which is considered high risk for heart disease when combined with estrogen and AA, which is considered low risk.
Of the study group nearly 33 percent of the women had the high risk GG gene version of BCAR1.
The study lasted for five years, and by the end of that time period the women had a 6.1 percent increased risk of heart disease, stroke or diseased blood vessels with the GG version. Men with the GG version did not see an increased risk of any of the listed issues.
Senior researcher, Dr. Shannon Amoils, said, “Heart disease is often seen as a disease which predominantly affects men, but this is simply not the case. We know that women have a lower overall risk of coronary heart disease compared with men, but as this study shows, women do get coronary heart disease, and it is important to find out more about the factors that increase their risk. […] It is imperative that heart disease is seen as a disease which can affect anyone regardless of their gender and that everyone takes steps to help prevent it.”
Dr. Amoils recommends that women exercise, eat healthy and don’t smoke as other means of reducing heart disease risk.
The findings were published in Circulation: Cardiovascular Genetics.