Domestic Violence and Its Impact on Women’s Health
Dr. Ramneek Dosanjh married young, but her marriage quickly dissolved into a cycle of control and domestic violence. She recalls, "Within a week after the meeting and dating, they tell you that they love you and they will marry you, you know, everything seems dreamy." However, things took a turn for the worse when she tried to leave. "You just don’t know if you can maintain life in this way," Dosanjh said, who then decided to take protective measures against her husband at the time.
The Physical Toll of Domestic Violence
The trauma began to show in Dosanjh’s physical health. "I had abnormal stress tests," she said. "I had to have cardiac catheterization." According to a recent study, she is not alone in experiencing the physical effects of domestic violence.
Study Findings
A study released last month from the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health analyzed data from around 66,270 American nurses aged 36 to 56, who were asked about their own health over 20 years. The study found that 11.7% of the participants experienced stalking, and 5.6% had obtained a restraining order. The risk of cardiovascular disease in women who experienced stalking was 70% higher, and 41% higher in women who had received a restraining order, compared to those who did not.
The Link Between Stalking and Cardiovascular Disease
"We have all the information about your diet and movement," said the lead researcher. "And we find that it is really stalking that increases the risk, not all of these other factors because we can adjust to them." The study concluded that experiences with stalking and obtaining a restraining order are both associated with an increased risk of developing cardiovascular disease in women.
The Prevalence of Stalking and Domestic Violence
Many women are afraid to disclose their identity due to fear of retaliation. One woman, who wished to remain anonymous, shared her experience of being abused by her father, which led to three recurring episodes of deep venous thrombosis. According to a 2016-2017 survey, almost every third woman experienced stalking at some point in her life.
Future Implications
Researchers hope that the results of the study will lead to doctors adding questions about stalking and restraining orders when checking for heart health risk factors in the future. The ultimate goal is to improve women’s health.
Resources for Help
For anonymous, confidential help, people can call the national hotline for domestic violence at 1-800-799-7233 or 1-800-787-3224. People can also text 88788 or visit thehotline.org.
