Personal Injury Blog

Women Who Have Suffered Physical, Sexual Abuse More Susceptible to Cardiovascular Disease

November 16th, 2011
physical Sexual Abuse

9% had been severely physically abused, and 11% had been severely sexually abused

Women who have been suffering physical or sexual abuse during childhood are at a much higher risk of developing cardiovascular disease.  These findings were revealed at a cardiovascular health conference recently.

According to the findings of the study presented at the American Heart Association’s meeting, women who have been subjected to severe physical abuse were up 45% more likely to develop cardiovascular disease.  Women who were subjected to severe sexual abuse were up to 62% more likely to suffer cardiovascular disease.  The researchers studied a total of 57,000 women between 1989 and 2007.  Out of these women, 9% had been severely physically abused, and 11% had been severely sexually abused.  The study’s findings give us more insight into the long term effects of sexual and physical abuse.

According to the researchers, this increased risk of cardiovascular disease for women who were subjected to physical or sexual abuse in their childhood, could have something to do with the stresses brought on by the trauma, and the increased weight gain as a result.  Weight gain is a symptom of high stress and trauma levels.  Obesity is also an indicator for cardiovascular disease.

However, while the researchers found a correlation between severe physical or sexual abuse in childhood and cardiovascular disease, they found no such association between mild abuse and cardiovascular disease.  These symptoms of cardiovascular disease emerged only when the abuse was severe.

There are other factors besides obesity that contribute to a higher association between sexual/physical abuse and cardiovascular disease.  For instance, individuals who smoked, used alcohol or suffered from high blood pressure and diabetes were likely to have the effects of their lifestyle choices exacerbated by a history of child abuse.

What this suggests to Los Angeles sexual abuse lawyers is that a history of childhood sexual or physical abuse could be a predictor for cardiovascular issues later in life.  Women who have suffered severe physical or sexual abuse must be monitored for cardiovascular disease, including hypertension, diabetes, heart attacks and strokes.  These women may need to be given advice about identifying and controlling other possible predictors for cardiovascular disease.

The effects of sexual abuse on an individual can continue for years after the abuse has stopped.  Many of the effects of sexual abuse that California sexual abuse attorneys  come across are psychological in nature.  However, the study shows that sexual abuse may also have physical health consequences that are equally detrimental.  Weight gain is a symptom of

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