Younger Women Face Lower Stroke Risk  

Women seem to differ from men in the way that plaque collects in their neck arteries, a process linked with increased stroke risk.

Researchers from the University of Western Ontario and the Robarts Research Institute in London, Ontario, found women tend to have more narrowing of the neck arteries than men. They also found women had less build-up of artery-clogging plaque. Less plaque means lower risk of stroke.

The study of 1,686 women and men found that, between ages 35 and 39, women had an average of 40 percent apparent narrowing in the carotid arteries while men had an average of 20 percent narrowing in those arteries.

Women in that same age group had about 0.1 centimeters squared (cm²) of plaque build-up and men had about 0.2 cm².

Between the ages of 55 and 59, women had an average of 0.58 cm² of plaque build-up and men had an average of 1 cm². By ages 70 to 74, women had an average of 1.24 cm² of plaque build-up and men had an average of 1.88 cm². In this same age group, narrowing of the neck arteries was 55 percent for both men and women.

The researchers say this indicates that, beginning in their 50s, women start to "catch up" to men in plaque build-up. That's consistent with increased risk of cardiovascular risk as women age.

The McGuinty government is strengthening Ontario's public health system with the creation of Canada's first-ever Emergency Medical Assistance Team (EMAT), which will allow a special unit of health professionals to spring to action in the event of an infectious disease outbreak, Health and Long-Term Care Minister George Smitherman said.

”EMAT is a breakthrough in emergency preparedness in Ontario,” said Smitherman. ”EMAT can be sent to the aid of local communities anywhere in Ontario, within 24 hours of an infectious disease outbreak, health emergency or other disaster.”

The minister made these comments while unveiling the government's new Emergency Medical Assistance Team initiative. EMAT is a mobile acute-care field unit consisting of 20 negative-pressure tents staffed by a team of healthcare professionals. The self-sufficient unit features the most up-to-date medical equipment and supplies, a communications centre and its own supply of electricity and water.

”We are more prepared now than ever for infectious disease outbreaks and other health emergencies,” Smitherman said. ”Health crises can hit with little warning. With EMAT, Ontario now has the ability to mobilize rapidly and respond to disasters anywhere in the province.”

Minister Smitherman also announced that Dr. Sheela Basrur, Ontario's new Chief Medical Officer of Health, will conduct a thorough review of public health services and programs to strengthen the province's capacity to respond to health emergencies such as infectious disease outbreaks.

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