Role of hot flashes in heart diseases and remedies for better health

According to a new study there is a link between common hot flashes that most of women experienced around their menopause time and vascular health. The study finds that hot flashes may be the indication of higher heart diseases risk. Around 70 percent of the women experience hot flashes and one third of these say that hot flashes are severe. Hot flashes may occur during late reproductive years and it is not necessary to occur in the period of perimenopausal. According to some studies hot flashes can persist for over a decade. There is a link between hot flashes and cardiovascular diseases according to a new research and it considers hot flashes and endothelial function. The endothelium is a cell’s layer inside blood vessels.

The endothelial assessment is an important factor considered in predicting atherosclerosis which is a form of CVD that affects dilate and contract ability of the blood vessels. It can lead to more serious cardiovascular problems like heart attack, stroke and even heart failure if not treated in time. Heart diseases are the reason for 1/4^th of the deaths in United States according to the centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Heart disease is known as the main cause of death in both men and women. According to a study around 272 women in the age range of 40 to 60 have reported having hot flashes. Non smoker women have no history of cardiovascular diseases.

Women are monitored in ambulatory care for psychological signs of hot flashes. An ultrasound measurement of flow mediated dilation of brachial artery evaluated their endothelial function. Flow mediated dilation is the process which helps in arteries relaxation process in response to shear stress like vasodilation. Linear regulation models calculate the association between hot flashes and flow mediated dilation. There is no association found between hot flashes and vascular dysfunction in the women aged in the range of 54 to 60. The younger women with having hot flashes may have poor vascular function.

According DR. Joann Pinkerton, executive director of the North American Menopause society hot flashes are not just nuisance and they are linked to cardiovascular, brain and bone health. These days’ hot flashes are the most common complaints of menopause and are very uncomfortable. Hot flashes may trigger by wearing tight clothes, stress, alcohol consumption, caffeine and spicy foods. You can prevent hot flashes by wearing light clothes, sipping ice water and medication. Night sweats and hot flashes are two very common menopause problems. A woman may feel hot flashes for six months to five years when she reached at her menopause. Hot flashes likely to be occur due to hormonal changes. Hot flashes may affect their quality of life in a negative way. You can manage your hot flashes with some simple techniques. By adapting following ways you can find relief.

• You should dress in layers even when there is cold outside so that you can adjust your clothing according to your need.
• Start sipping ice water at starting of the hot flashes.
• Wear cotton night clothes.
• Keep an ice pack with you on your bedside table.

Many women are using natural products for managing night sweats and hot flashes problem and if you are using some products then first you should consult to your doctor. Certain herbal products found beneficial for managing hot flashes. You can use peppermint oil dabbed on the back of your neck which will help you to cool down during a hot flash. Some women also consider hormones replacement for managing hot flashes problem which affect their quality of life to great extent. In hormone replacement therapy you can find synthetic hormones treatment. Estrogen supplements level out the amount of estrogen in your system. Estrogen is usually given with progestin in order to reduce the risk of endometrial cancer. You can take it by number of ways like through pills, vaginal cream or gel or a patch.

Some women also find some other medications effective which are not directly developed for this purpose. Gabapentin and pregabalin that are used for nerve mediated pain also offer some relief for women. Gabapentin is the prescribed drug for seizures. You can also consider acupuncture which will save you from the side effects of medication.