Category: HEARTe

What the Results Mean

Isla’s healthcare provider explains that Isla is currently considered low risk for developing cardiovascular disease. This is based on the test results, her medical and family history, current lifestyle, and calculated ASSIGN score.  Her healthcare provider recommends that she apply general preventative measures and have her ASSIGN score measured again in 5 years.  

They explain that although Isla is considered low risk, she does have  risk factors for developing cardiovascular disease. Isla’s risk factors are:  

  • Prediabetes  
  • Overweight 
  • Unhealthy Diet 
  • Physical inactivity  
  • Ethnicity
  • Migraines with aura  
  • Family history  

Her healthcare provider goes on to note that while Isla cannot change her family history or ethnicity, she can help keep her risk for developing cardiovascular disease low and even reduce it further by making simple changes to her lifestyle.  

Isla and her healthcare provider will discuss what actions Isla can take to reduce her cardiovascular disease risk later in this scenario.  

When you find a term that you don’t know, please use the HEARTe Glossary for more information and explanation.

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Isla’s Results

Isla’s results from her assessment have come back. She sees her healthcare provider again to review the information together.  They review her results from her blood tests, blood pressure measurement, body mass index measurement, and the questions about her lifestyle, medical history, and family history.  

Using the information from the results detailed below, Isla’s healthcare provider calculates her ASSIGN score.  Isla’s ASSIGN score is less than 20 and is not currently considered as high risk for developing cardiovascular disease in the next 10 years. 

When you find a term that you don’t know, please use the HEARTe Glossary for more information and explanation.

Isla’s Risk Factors for Cardiovascular disease

Now that you’ve learned a little bit about Isla and about the different risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD), what do you think are Isla’s risk factors for CVD?

 

Please refer back to the Definitions in this Context Section for a refresher on what cardiovascular disease is and what the risk factors for developing it are.   
When you find a term that you don’t know, please use the HEARTe Glossary for more information and explanation.

Consultation

Isla has an appointment with her Healthcare Provider to discuss her concerns about her risk for cardiovascular disease and to see what contraception options are suitable for her.  

Please click through the slides below to see the conversation between Isla and her healthcare provider.  

 

When you find a term that you don’t know, please use the HEARTe Glossary for more information and explanation.

Scenario 1: Isla

Isla's avatar

Who is Isla:  

  • 32 year old woman 
  • South Asian ethnic background 
  • Mother to 2 young children
  • Unpaid carer for her mother  

 Isla’s Medical History:  

  • Overweight with body mass index (BMI) of 27 
  • Non-smoker, she does not smoke or vape  
  • Prediabetes  
  • Experiences migraines with aura  
    • Migraines with Aura = A recurring headache that happens at the same time as / after a sensory disturbance called an aura. 
    • Aura = A sensory disturbance that can include flashes of light, blind spots, and other vision changes or tingling in the hand/face
    • To learn more about migraines with aura, please visit Migraine with aura – The Migraine Trust 

 Isla’s Family History:  

  • Mother had a stroke at age 60
  • Father died of a heart attack (myocardial infarction or MI) at age 52 

Next Steps:  

  • Isla scheduled an appointment with her healthcare provider because:  
    • She is concerned about her own cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk because of her family history (FHx) and her own medical history
    • She wants to discuss her concerns and see if there are actions she can take to help reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD)
    • She also wants to discuss what contraception options are best for her to prevent pregnancy as she has recently entered a new relationship. 

When you find a term that you don’t know, please use the HEARTe Glossary for more information and explanation.​

Introduction

Welcome to the Women’s Heart Health eLearning Module, a comprehensive educational resource designed for both health professionals and the general public in Scotland.  

This module aims to shed light on the unique aspects of heart health in women, dispelling misconceptions and presenting evidence-based facts to enhance understanding and promote better cardiovascular care. It seeks to be an accessible, high-quality educational resource that empowers healthcare professionals, women, and others with the knowledge and tools needed to promote cardiovascular health in women.  

Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland has funded this module as part of our ongoing efforts to advocate for women’s health, support those affected by heart disease, and proactively address the health inequalities that impact women. This eLearning resource is an endeavour of CHSS’ Women’s Health Action Plan and the No Life Half Lived 2023-28 strategy.  

  • The CHSS No Life Half Lived 2023-28 strategy aims make Scotland a place where people with our conditions live full lives, with the right support, at the right time, and in the right place.   
  • CHSS developed a Women’s Health Action Plan that aligns with the Scottish Government’s plan to support women’s health. The CHSS’ Women’s Health Action Plan outlines how CHSS will improve public understanding and awareness, supporting more women with our conditions, educating and supporting staff & volunteers about women’s health issues, refreshing training for health professionals, and more. This plan is an example of CHSS’ commitment to promoting equitable health outcomes and improving the quality of life for women and those affected by our conditions.  

Disclaimer: Throughout this eLearning module, the term ‘women’/’woman’ is used. It is important to highlight that it is not only those who identify as women who require access to women’s health and reproductive services. For example, some transgender men, non-binary people, and intersex people or people with variations in sex characteristics may also experience menstrual cycles, pregnancy, endometriosis and the menopause.  

Please note that the overarching recommendation of this module is that all healthcare services should be respectful and responsive to individual needs. 

To learn more about gender and health, please visit Gender and health (who.int) 

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General Medical Disclaimer: The information, including but not limited to, text, graphics, images, recommendations, opinions and other material contained on or accessed through this website (or in any module or content accessible through this website) (together “Website”), is intended for general informational purposes only. The information should not be considered as professional medical advice, diagnosis, recommendations or treatment.  The information on this Website is provided without any assurance, representations or warranties, express or implied. We do not warrant that the information on this Website is applicable to all healthcare practices, geographical locations, health needs or circumstances. We do not warrant that the information on this module is complete, true, accurate, up-to-date, or non-misleading. You should always seek the guidance of a qualified healthcare professional before making any decisions related to your health or wellbeing. Never disregard or delay seeking medical advice due to something you have read on this Website. The use of or any reliance placed on any information provided on or accessed through this Website is solely at your own risk.  If you have any specific questions or concerns about your health, please consult a qualified healthcare provider or other qualified medical professional. Do not rely on the information on this Website as an alternative to medical advice from your doctor or other qualified professional healthcare professional or healthcare provider.

Menopause Treatments

From hormone therapies to lifestyle changes and alternative treatments, there are various options available to help manage menopause symptoms.  

It is important that people experiencing perimenopause and menopause have regular check-ups with their healthcare provider to:  

  • Monitor and manage symptoms  
  • Tailor treatments to individual needs, ensuring both relief of symptoms and promotion of long-term health.  
  • Assess the risks and benefits of hormone replacement therapy  
  • Screen for heart disease and osteoporosis  

Click on the different treatment options below to explore what is available for menopause and perimenopause symptoms.   

Assessment for Menopause and Treatment Options

After Morag and her healthcare provider have the initial discussion about Morag’s symptoms, her healthcare provider gathers more information to assess if Morag is menopausal and what treatment options may be suitable.  

To assess Morag for menopause and what treatments are suitable for her, her healthcare provider gathers information through questions and conducting a few examinations. Her healthcare provider explains that they will get this information today and then bring Morag back to discuss her results. 

The aims of screening and evaluating for menopause are to: 

  1. Screen and diagnose menopause-related issues and age-related diseases  
  2. Assess general condition of the individual through clinical examination and basic laboratory tests to understand how the organs are functioning 
  3. Create a treatment plan to manage symptoms that is tailored to the individual’s medical history and personal preferences.  

Disclaimer: It is important to note that the use of laboratory tests, including blood and urine, to help diagnose menopause varies based on the individual’s health and symptoms as well as the health care professional’s preference.  

  • Blood or urine tests can help to measure levels of hormones including: oestradiol, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and luteinizing hormone (LH).  

During and after the menopause transition it is highly recommended that individuals get regular physical, pelvic, breast, colorectal, and skin exams to monitor their health.  

Due to the risks associated with hormone replacement therapy, if it is being considered a treatment option for menopause symptoms, then a few examinations are recommended to be completed. These examinations include:  

  • Measure blood pressure  
  • Calculate Body Mass Index (BMI) by measuring height and weight  
  • Ensuring that smears (cervical cancer screening) and mammograms (breast cancer screening) are up to date  

Click on the plus signs to reveal more information about what Morag’s assessment includes:  

 

Next Steps

After discussing her results, the healthcare provider and Morag go on to talk about what treatment options are suitable for her.  

Morag had previously expressed interest in hormone replacement therapy as a potential option to improve her menopause symptoms. The healthcare provider explains to Morag that hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is not a suitable treatment option for her symptoms at this point in time. One of the potential side effects of HRT is blood clots and as Morag has high blood pressure and high cholesterol, HRT is not advised. These conditions would need to be within acceptable parameters as explained in Morag’s Results before starting HRT.  

Morag is reassured that although hormone replacement therapy isn’t suitable at this point in time, there are other treatments and changes that can be made to help improve her menopausal symptoms and manage her cardiovascular disease risk factors. The two work together to create a treatment plan that has a combination of lifestyle changes and medications that will be most suitable for Morag’s personal preferences, lifestyle, and health needs. It is important that Morag is included in the decision-making process for her treatment plan.  

After the discussion, Morag is recommended the following treatment plan to address her cardiovascular risk factors and menopause symptoms. Click on each of the words below to find out more information:

For more information and a range of health resources to support lifestyle changes visit CHSS resources Hub: https://www.chss.org.uk/resources-hub/#1′ 

Morag is scheduled follow-up appointments for her cardiovascular disease risk and menopause treatment, given an at home blood pressure monitor, provided with the referral to the Registered Dietician and smoking cessation team, prescribed vaginal oestrogen, and supplied with additional information to support her treatment plan. If her symptoms worsen or she wants to change aspects about her treatment plan prior to her next appointment, she is advised to notify her healthcare provider.  

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What Morag’s Results Mean

Explanation 

After reviewing the results with Morag, her healthcare provider explains that she is considered menopausal because she is over 45 years old, her last menstrual period was 4 years ago, and she has been experiencing menopausal symptoms for the last 5 years.  

Her healthcare provider goes on to explain that Morag has risk factors for developing cardiovascular disease. These risk factors include:  

  • High Blood Pressure  
  • High Cholesterol 
  • Family history of cardiovascular disease  
  • Overweight body mass index  
  • Smoking  
  • Diet high in salt and refined carbohydrates, but low in vegetables.  

Morag’s healthcare provider reviews what cardiovascular disease is. They go on to explain how menopause affects heart health and can impact the cardiovascular risk factors that Morag has. The healthcare provider stresses the importance of managing cardiovascular health and menopause symptoms to improve her overall health and quality of life.  

Reassurance and Opportunity for Questions 

Morag is reassured that there are treatment options that can help both her menopausal symptoms and her cardiovascular disease risk factors. Before they go on to discuss next steps, her healthcare provider answers any questions that Morag may have and ensures she understands what has been discussed so far.  

Additional Information Provided 

She is also provided with information and resources to take home with her about menopause as well as cardiovascular disease. By providing Morag with information about conditions that affect her own health, she is given the opportunity to educate and inform herself further with appropriate, relevant resources in her own time. This can promote and improve Morag’s confidence in understanding her body and her health.