Exploring the connection between caring and women's cardiovascular health

Thursday, 20 October 2022

Researchers are investigating the connection between caring duties and the cardiovascular health of female carers, specifically for women who are caring for people with stroke.

Exploring the connection between caring and women's cardiovascular health

Dr Heidi Janssen and Dr Alexandra Denham from the Hunter Medical Research Institute and University of Newcastle are leading a new cardiovascular research project, FoCCuS4HEART, co-designing it alongside female carers of people with stroke.

Women are 2.5 times more likely than men to be a primary carer, with women representing seven in every 10 primary carers (~72 per cent). Primary carers most commonly provide care to a spouse or partner (~40 per cent).

Dr Janssen said the impact of caregiving on female carers’ lifestyle and management of their physical and mental health across the caregiving trajectory was not well understood, especially for those women looking after stroke survivors.

“What we do know is that caring has a measurable physiological impact. We want to understand what is happening, why it’s happening and what we can do to develop supports that offset these negative health impacts,” Dr Janssen said.

One of the biggest challenges carers in the study have identified is prioritising their own mental and physical health.

“Whilst women have an awareness of the importance engaging in physical activity and consuming a heart-healthy diet, competing priorities such as time management and concern around food waste have been identified as common barriers,” Dr Janssen said.

“Female carers report significantly lower participation in health promoting activities like regular physical activity, and experience high levels of depression, anxiety and stress."

With cardiovascular disease the leading cause of death among women in Australia, accounting for approximately 22,200 deaths (one-third), Dr Janssen said they will use information from their study to develop strategies and programs to empower female carers to engage in behaviours that support better health and emotional well-being.

“Understanding how to support female carers to live well and engage in behaviours that are important for a healthy heart, brain and blood vessels is an important first step in reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease for female carers,” Dr Janssen said.

Tips to improve cardiovascular health:

  • ‘Know your numbers’, meaning monitor blood pressure, cholesterol and blood glucose levels
  • Take medications as prescribed by your doctors
  • Eat a healthy diet, aiming for five serves of vegetables and two serves of fruit each day
  • Exercise most days of the week for at least 30 minutes where you get a bit ‘huffy puffy’ (short of breath)
  • Limit alcohol consumption to no more than ten standard drinks per week and never consume more than four standard drinks in one sitting
  • Manage stress as best as possible and;
  • Avoid smoking.

Support for carers:

Anyone who would like to participate in this research study is encouraged to contact Dr Janssen on Heidi.Janssen@health.nsw.gov.au or 02 4921 4037.

This research is made possible by the generous financial support of a HMRI donor.   HMRI is a partnership between the University of Newcastle, Hunter New England Health and the community.

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