Early sexual abuse increases heart risks
CHICAGO |
CHICAGO (Reuters) - Women who were repeatedly sexually abused as girls have a 62 percent higher risk of heart problems later in life compared with women who were not abused, U.S. researchers said on Sunday.
The findings, presented at the American Heart Association meeting in Orlando, Florida, underscored the lasting physical effects of early sexual abuse.
Much of the increased risk was related to coping strategies among abuse survivors such as overeating, alcohol use and smoking.
"The single biggest factor explaining the link between severe child abuse and adult cardiovascular disease was the tendency of abused girls to have gained more weight throughout adolescence and into adulthood," Janet Rich-Edwards of Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston, who led the study, said in a statement.
The team analyzed data from a study of more than 67,000 nurses. Nine percent of these women had reported severe physical abuse and 11 percent reported being raped in their childhood or adolescence.
The team found that repeated episodes of forced sex in childhood or adolescence translated into a 62 percent higher risk of heart attacks and strokes later in life.
Physical abuse also took a toll. Women who had been beaten in their youth had a 45 percent higher risk of heart trouble.
There was no increased heart risk in women who reported mild to moderate physical or sexual abuse.
Much of the effect was related to higher rates of obesity, smoking, alcohol use, high blood pressure and diabetes, which accounted for 41 percent of the increased risk of heart problems among women who had been physically abused and 37 percent of the association with sexual abuse, the team said.
The findings suggest severe physical and sexual abuse are significant risk factors for future heart disease, and women and their doctors need to take steps to reduce this risk.
"We need to learn more about specific psychological, lifestyle, and medical interventions to improve the health of abuse survivors." Rich-Edwards said in a statement.
(Reporting by Julie Steenhuysen; Editing by Peter Cooney)
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And this study confirms what I’ve seen over and over again. The person who is abused experiences deep pain in her (or his) body, mind and soul. The emotional scars and pain last long after the physical pain diminishes…. so they develop ways of numbing their pain, avoiding the pain that was forced upon them against their choice, against their will.
While some people are not supportive of spiritual resources, I’ve found that sharing how Jesus was stripped in public, physically violated, shamed and humiliated, verbally and mentally abused by those in power over Him, (religious and civil)…
And how Jesus was also tempted to numb His pain with alcohol, to cope with the intense agony of His crucifixion – all as a part of fulfilling prophecy as the Suffering Messiah, has opened the door time and again to begin the PROCESS of healing and freedom from the pain of abuse and from the ways they have tried to numb the pain.
Sexual abuse is the number one form of abuse I’ve worked with over the years. A friend of mine, Steve Siler, has a music ministry with songs and a play, “I Can’t Talk About It,” (www.musicforthesoul.org), that is a tremendous help and comfort to victims of abuse. I use his music in my ministry, (www.straight2theheart.com).
I wish abuse was not so prevalent. And I’m thankful we can offer resources for healing their bodies, minds and souls.
Paul Coneff
Director: Straight 2 the Heart Ministry
What in the world is mild sexual abuse!!!!!!…”There was no increased heart risk in women who reported mild to moderate physical or sexual abuse.” Kliet
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