Research from around the world
Experts from the Jean Hailes Foundation for Women’s Health comment on recent world research on physical activity, heart disease and depression.
 Pumping iron the secret
Worried about the fat around your abdominal organs? American researchers have discovered that pumping iron is the most effective way to stop fat around your middle. The study, by the University of Pennsylvania, compared two groups of women who did not change their eating patterns. The group doing strength training showed spectacular results compared to those who didn’t work their quads, hamstrings, pecs and back muscles. After two years there was no difference in body weight, but tummy fat increased by just 6.3 per cent for the iron pumpers compared with 20 per cent for the others.
Physiotherapist Janetta Webb is a great advocate of strength training, as it does more than protect against fat distribution and prevent heart disease. “It’s fantastic to keep bones strong and to maintain strength in midlife and into older age. A session at the gym with some weights can leave you feeling strong, mentally alert and satisfied.”
Am I having a heart attack?
Did you know that women may have less chest pain than men when having a heart attack? Compared to men, women take longer to get to hospital, longer to be treated and have poorer outcomes. The Irish Journal of Advanced Nursing reports on the study, which found that women waited an average of 14 hours after the first symptom of a heart attack before going to hospital compared to three hours for men. So, why do they wait? One reason may be that women suffer less pain. Other symptoms include shortness of breath, weakness, unusual fatigue, a cold sweat and dizziness.
The Foundation’s Dr Liz Farrell advises women to consider the possibility of a coronary, rather than passing it off as a strained muscle, menopausal symptoms or indigestion. “If you get chest pain, or other symptoms, think about the possibility of a heart attack. Seek help – and when you do, ask the doctor to think about it too. Don’t worry if it turns out not to be serious. The emergency department staff will be happy to send you home.”
Depression gene
Australian researchers have discovered a gene that predisposes people to depression. The study, published in the British Journal of Psychiatry, shows people who carry a short serotonin transporter gene are more susceptible to depression when exposed to stressful life events. It promises to have a significant impact on identifying those at risk of developing depression, which affects one in four Australians.
Medical Director GP Dr Sue Reddish says: “This finding could have an enormous impact on the management of depression by identifying people at risk and intervening with preventative strategies. In the meantime, be aware of the symptoms and don’t be afraid (or too proud) to seek help for yourself or others who may be suffering. Depression is a debilitating disease that can affect anyone at any time, with or without a stressful life event.” 
Can hormone therapy help prevent heart disease?
To clear any confusion women have about hormone therapy (HT), Professor Henry Burger, founding Board member and Research Committee Chairman, explains the latest findings from the Women’s Health Initiative (WHI).
Background
 The WHI was set up by the USA National Institutes of Health in 1991 to study postmenopausal women and their most common causes of death, disability and quality-of-life issues – the aim being to reduce heart disease, cancer and osteoporosis. Two HT trials aimed to work out whether treatment would lower heart disease risk and would increase breast cancer risk. One trial used oestrogen plus a progesterone in women with a uterus; the other used oestrogen alone in women who’d had hysterectomies. The combined treatment trial ended early in 2002, after some women developed breast cancer, possibly from HT. We now know that there was no significant increase in breast cancer risk when the trial ended early, in those women who had not previously had such treatment. In the oestrogen-only trial there were fewer cancers in the hormone-treated women – great news for women who’d had a hysterectomy. So, does HT help prevent heart disease? Several large studies have helped us understand the impact of HT on women’s heart health.
Timing of hormone therapy
There’s been much debate about whether the age at which a woman takes HT has an impact on her heart. We are fairly sure that hormones given to a woman before she has significant damage to her arteries (for example, close to the time of menopause) would reduce the risk of heart disease developing. Giving HT to a woman who already has artery damage (which tends to occur as time from menopause increases) could not protect her from heart disease.
Now, scientists confirm that women who began HT near menopause had:
They also confirm that women who’d started HT more than 10 years after menopause were not protected from heart disease.
Timing is crucial
We now know that the timing of HT is crucial. If hormones are to protect us – or increase our risk of heart disease – doctors need to know when it’s appropriate to prescribe and when not to.
There is no evidence of harm from taking hormones close to menopause. In fact, HT appears to protect the hearts of many women. It’s only when a woman with a risk of heart disease starts HT many years after menopause that problems could arise.
Summary
There is no reason for anxiety about breast cancer or heart disease for women using HT for three to five years to deal with symptoms around the time of menopause. Older women who have been using HT for many years should discuss their treatment with their doctor. In many instances ongoing HT would be reasonable. Older women, more than 10 years postmenopause, are advised to consider their options carefully before beginning HT, due to the potential increased risk to the heart.
Resources
For more information on HT log on to www.jeanhailes.org.au or call tollfree on 1800 151 441.
In touch with women across Australia
 Reaching out and making a difference to women across Australia, particularly in regional and rural areas, is a passion that drives education and training manager, Sarah Hardy. Commuting to work from Melbourne’s outer fringe has only increased her desire to collaborate with women living in rural and remote regions and to design and produce educational health resources for them.
With a background in nursing, midwifery, health and sex education, as well as a recent guest role as a presenter on local ABC radio, Sarah has much knowledge on which to draw and share. She has co-authored and produced a successful rural and remote resource kit on women’s midlife health for health professionals across the country. The kit includes a CD-ROM for women on choices for health and wellbeing, also co-authored by Sarah.
Both the rural health professional kit on women’s midlife health and the CD-ROM are available for purchase by logging on to our web shop at www.jeanhailes.org.au or by calling 1800 551 441.
What are you passionate about?
My vegetable garden and my determination to grow tomatoes in Macedon. I am also passionate about keeping my kids active and connected to the social and community development activities of a small rural community.
Why have you chosen women’s health?
I think because the health and wellbeing of women affects the wellbeing of all those around them. Women are great mentors for children, partners and the broader community. So, if we can convey positive health messages to women I have great hope they will filter through to men and children.
What do you find challenging?
The greatest work challenge is designing innovative models of education that will truly have an impact on the way women care for their own health in the long term. For me, personally, the biggest challenge is the work-life balance; it’s like walking a tightrope to stay on top of things. It would be great if I had a bit of me at the kids’ school, at work, at home and in my garden every day. Now that would be a challenge.
What inspires you at work?
Definitely the passionate conversations I have at work with my wonderful team, about new projects we want to undertake. I feel a great sense of satisfaction when we design a project that we really believe in, are successful with seeking funding – then we can go to work.
A saying from your childhood that has stuck with you
My mother read A A Milne poems to me and I always remember the line, “Sand in the ears, the eyes and the nose, sand in the hair and sand between the toes …” I grew up on the beach, so this always makes me feel good.
Your message to Australian women
We are extremely fortunate to live in a country where we can access fresh food, activity and freedom. Make use of it while you are on this earth. Be a positive role model for those you care about and try to enjoy the good things in life.
Tips to help you choose a health practitioner
Developing a partnership with your health practitioner will depend on:
- Mutual respect
- Clear communication
- Shared responsibility
While it may take time and effort to establish this partnership, in the end it will be in your best interests to choose carefully. You could take into account:
- The practitioner's expertise
- How accessible they are (location, appointment times and fees)
- Their ability to listen, empathise and communicate effectively
- Their willingness to involve you in the decision‑-making process around your health care
Remember, when you access a health service you are not just the sum of your illness/es, but the sum of your wellness, life experiences and expectations. It is your right to ask questions and to trust in what you believe is best for you.
This resource was developed with the support of the Australian Department of Health and Ageing.
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The Jean Hailes Foundation magazine is designed to be informative and educational. It is not intended that The Jean Hailes Foundation magazine provide specific medical advice or replace advice from your health professional. The Jean Hailes Foundation does not accept any liability to any person for the information or advice (or the use of information or advice) which is provided in this magazine or incorporated into it by reference. Information is provided on the basis that all persons reading the magazine undertake responsibility for assessing the relevance and accuracy of its content.
Note: This article is an archive. Whilst the Jean Hailes Foundation for Women’s Health has made every effort to ensure this information was accurate at the time of publication, the article content has not been updated since the date listed below.
Content created May 18, 2006
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