We're used to talking now, about women's health, in relation to breast cancer and the menopause - and that's great - but in Ehlers Danlos Awareness Month, 2024, lets think about women, EDS and cardio-vascular health.
The British Heart Foundation, and Leeds University, have shown that women have a 50% higher chance, than men, of receiving a wrong initial diagnosis. It's acknowledged that genes strongly influence the likelihood of developing heart disease - more women have EDS than men - and in fact, a UCL study has shown that there is a particular gene (BCAR1) which, only in women, increases the risk of strokes and heart attack.
Until recently, vascular EDS was considered 'very rare', and many of us, even those of us actually diagnosed with EDS, are STILL not taken seriously when we exhibit the proven EDS signs, of vascular fragility - such as spontaneous, inexplicable spot bruising, high blood /low blood pressure and arrhythmia.
Heart conditions, left untreated, or misdiagnosed, are exacerbated, and when left, you are statistically more likely to die, from a heart attack. Unlike those lucky men, who've been initially correctly diagnosed.
In EDS, vascular instability causes spontaneous bruises, haemorrhages, high blood pressure, strokes - and heart valve failure.
One third of our bodies is made up of collagen EDS is a genetic collagen deficiency. It's NOT just about unstable joints. It can impact anywhere in your body, where collagen is present. Collagen. It gets everywhere.
Fiona Branson
#EhlersDanlosAwarenessMonth2024
HIFA profile: Fiona Branson is director of a therapeutic/educative theatre company, NutCase Theatre Limited, UK. Professional interests include the promotion of education, equality and understanding worldwide. Theatre, music, art, human rights. fiona.branson AT btopenworld.com
