Risk Factors for Heart Disease You May Not Know About

STAT: For women who are 20 years and older, almost half are living with cardiovascular disease — and some don’t know it.What are the lesser-known risks of cardiovascular disease (CVD)?o Chronic stress can cause inflammation, which can contribute to high blood pressure and lower “good” HDL cholesterol.o Nighttime is when your body repairs itself, and sleep deficits can increase riskfor CVD and stroke.o Sleep interruptions from sleep apnea can lead to high blood pressure, belly fat and irregular heartbeats.o Helpful GI bacteria break down certain foods — too much “bad” bacteria in your gut microbiome could mean more byproducts that harm cholesterol and blood vessels.o People who reported social isolation and loneliness saw a 29% increased risk fora heart event and a 32% increased risk for a stroke.o The thyroid gland is a key player in heart and vascular health. Those with thyroiddysfunction can see an increase in CVD — including atrial fibrillation and high cholesterol.o Pregnancy-related cardiovascular complications, like pre-term birth, preeclampsia and hypertension of pregnancy, happen to 1 in 7 women, which can increase lifetime risk for stroke and heart failure.o Menstruation u...