According to the latest report, women in Bosnia and Herzegovina live 5.3 years longer than men. According to these data, women should live to be 81.1 years old, and men 74.6 years old.
It is a projection of life expectancy, according to United Nations estimates, and the information was published in the publication “Women and Men in Bosnia and Herzegovina” of the BiH Statistics Agency.
According to the data presented in this publication, the gender gap between women and men is 6.5 years.
Although due to living conditions the age limit increases from year to year, i.e. the same as in most European countries, the population of Bosnia and Herzegovina dies later and later.
Why women are winning the race against time
But why do women live longer than men in BiH, we asked cardiologist dr. Jasmin Ćorović-Kuburović.
– As a doctor who fights for the lives of patients every day, I often get the question: “Doctor, is it true that women are simply the stronger sex when it comes to biology?”
The statistics are inexorable, women live five to seven years longer on average. As a cardiologist, I must emphasize that this advantage is not only a gift of nature, but a combination of genetics, hormonal protection and, very often, a more responsible attitude towards one’s own body – says the doctor.
She also emphasizes that women have a biological “shield” that men do not. Female longevity begins at the cellular level. While the male organism often functions like a “racing car”, strong but prone to sudden breakdowns, the female organism is built for endurance.
– In addition, we have a “hormonal insurance policy”. Until menopause, women enjoy the benefits of estrogen. This hormone is not only crucial for reproduction, it is the ultimate guardian of blood vessels. Estrogen promotes the elasticity of arteries and maintains a favorable cholesterol balance, directly preventing early plaque build-up (atherosclerosis). Men do not have this protection, which is why their heart “ages” faster. I would also add that we have a genetic “spare wheel”
Genetics has gifted women with two X chromosomes. If one carries a fault or predisposition to disease, the other can often take over the function and compensate for the deficiency. Men with their XY pair do not have that luxury. In them, genetic weaknesses manifest themselves more directly and earlier – explains Doctor Ćorović-Kuburović.
Leading causes of mortality in Bosnia and Herzegovina: Where are we going wrong?
The situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina is specific and worrying. Our mentality and lifestyle directly feed risk factors that shorten life expectancy.
Over 50% of all deaths in Bosnia and Herzegovina are caused by diseases of the heart and blood vessels.
In men, the biggest enemy is ischemic heart disease (infarction). Due to the high rate of smoking and ignoring symptoms, men in BiH often experience fatal heart attacks already in their forties.
In women, the leading cause is stroke, often as a result of untreated high blood pressure that is neglected after menopause.
Cancer is the second most common cause of death in our country.
Lung cancer is dramatically increasing in both sexes, which is a direct consequence of the fact that we are among the leading nations in terms of tobacco consumption in Europe, along with chronic air pollution.
In men, prostate and colon cancer predominate, while in women, breast cancer is still the primary cause of death in this category, despite available preventive examinations.
Risk factors for men and women
When we analyze the patients in our offices, we notice clear differences in the way the sexes approach the disease.
– An approach to prevention is important. Women are statistically more diligent in performing gynecological examinations and mammography. Men usually come to the doctor “when it burns”, that is, when they feel pain that does not go away, which in cardiology is often too late. Risk factors play a big role. For men in Bosnia and Herzegovina, the primary triggers are stress, smoking and excessive alcohol consumption. In women, these are high blood pressure and diabetes, which often appear as a silent accompaniment to aging, says Dr. Ćorović-Kuburović.
The doctor adds that the key point is the manifestation of the disease. Men usually have classic symptoms (chest pain radiating to the arm), while women may have atypical symptoms such as nausea, fatigue or back pain, which is why their conditions are sometimes overlooked or diagnosed late.
Can we cheat the statistics?
– Biology gives women an advantage of several years, but the lifestyle in Bosnia and Herzegovina often “eats” that advantage. As a cardiologist, my advice is simple: Longevity is not luck, it’s discipline.
Regular control of blood pressure (which should not exceed 140/90 mmHg), smoking cessation and at least 150 minutes of moderate physical activity per week can add a decade of quality life, regardless of what is written in your genetic code – he concludes for Factor internal medicine specialist and cardiologist dr. Jasmina Ćorović-Kuburović.
