Nursing Care of the Postmenopausal Woman, 3rd Edition
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diseases. Chronic illnesses are uncom- fortable. They may cause pain, shortness of breath, and even heart palpitations. Some chronic illnesses may interfere with a woman’s social activities, physical ac- tivities, and/or health behaviors. Some chronic conditions, such as osteoporosis and hypertension, can lead to sudden disability, such as a hip fracture or a stroke (National Council on Aging [NCOA], 2022). One of the most common chronic dis- eases in older women is cardiovascular disease (CVD). CVD is the cause of one in three deaths, or more than 850,000 peo- ple each year (CDC, 2022). The leading causes of CVD are high blood pressure, high low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL), diabetes, smoking and second- hand smoke exposure, obesity, unhealthy diet, and physical inactivity. High blood pressure causes damage to the lining of the arteries, which allows for a buildup of plaque that narrows the arteries leading to the heart and the brain. People who have high LDL cholesterol are twice as likely to have heart disease. Cholesterol can also build up on the walls of the arteries and decrease blood flow to vital organs. Both high blood pressure and high LDL choles- terol can be managed with medications, a heart healthy diet, and physical activity (CDC, 2022). Diabetes can cause a person to be twice as likely to have CVD (CDC, 2022). About two thirds of people with diabe- tes also have high blood pressure. The increased circulating sugar in the blood can cause damage to the blood vessels and subsequent blocked blood vessels. This can lead to stroke or heart attack. Diabetes can also affect cholesterol by in- creasing triglycerides and LDL cholesterol (CDC, 2022).
Chronic lung disease is an illness that can lead to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). COPD causes block- age in the airflow to the lungs as well as breathing-related problems. Emphysema and chronic bronchitis are two examples of COPD. COPD is the fourth leading cause of death among women in the U.S. (CDC, 2021d). Those at high risk for de- veloping COPD include women, people ages 65–75, American Indians/Alaska Na- tives, multiracial non-Hispanics, current and former smokers, and people with a history of asthma. Tobacco smoke is a key factor in developing COPD. People with COPD have difficulty with activities and may need portable oxygen. They have increased confusion and/or memory loss. These limitations may lead to depression and/or other emotional conditions (CDC, 2021d). Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most com- mon form of arthritis and is a degenera- tion of the joints from wear and tear over the years. Over 32.5 million adults have OA (CDC, 2020a). It is most often found in the hands, hips, and knees. With OA, the cartilage between the joints breaks down and the bones are damaged. The changes worsen over time and pain, stiff- ness, and swelling increase. The risk fac- tors for OA include joint injury or overuse, age, gender (women are more likely to develop OA), obesity, genetics, and race (Asian populations are less likely to have OA). Osteoarthritis can be treated with increased physical activity, physical ther- apy, weight loss, medications, supportive devices, and—as a last resort—surgery to replace the affected joint (CDC, 2020a). Hearing loss can be caused by harmful sound levels repeated over time (CDC, 2019). Everyday sounds do not usually damage hearing. Loud noises over time
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