Expert: Women More Vulnerable to Cardiovascular Disease
The Director of the Center for Chronic Disease Management at the Medical Center Health System in Odessa, Texas revealed in his lecture at the College of Nursing last January 20 that women are more vulnerable to cardiovascular diseases than men.
Mr. Ryan Clifford O. Baldomero, who is the Director of the Center for Chronic Disease Management at the Medical Center Health System in Odessa, Texas, said this true, especially among Filipinos who rank second highest with risks attributed to a body mass index (BMI) that is beyond normal.
BMI is a measure of body fat based on height and weight.
According to him, recent studies also showed a rise in cases of coronary artery disease among women, from 21 per cent to 86 per cent, and higher prevalence of diabetes.
With 18 years of experience specializing in Critical, Acute and Rehabilitative Cardiovascular Nursing, he discussed strategies that are being used in assessing and categorizing women into different levels of risk to cardiovascular disease: high risk, at risk, and ideal health.
Mr. Baldomero, who is also an Associate of the American College of Cardiology, shared approaches to reducing these risks, particularly controlling hypertension among women. He said women can get rid of hypertension by maintaining an ideal body weight or by losing weight of as little as 10 pounds. He also advises increased physical activity and a low-fat, low-sodium diet that consists mostly of fruits and vegetables.
His talk also included a summary of commonly used therapies that should not be initiated for the prevention or treatment of cardiovascular diseases, due to their lack of benefit, or because risks outweigh benefits.
Mr. Baldomero is an alumnus of Silliman University. He obtained his degree of Bachelor of Science in Nursing in 1988. He completed his Master of Science in Nursing at the Angelo State University in Texas and another graduate degree in Healthcare Administration Concentration in Health Informatics, summa cum laude, at Tourou University International. He is currently pursuing his post-graduate degree in Nursing Practice at Saint Louis University.
