Menopause and the Increased Risk of Cardiovascular Disease
Hot flashes, night sweats, anxiety – the hallmark symptoms of menopause.
But there’s something else women entering their late 40s and early 50s are experiencing that they may not notice or be aware of: their increased risk for cardiovascular disease.
For women, menopause is a natural and inevitable part of the aging process, marked by a decrease in reproductive hormones and the cessation of egg release from the ovaries. Although hot flashes, vaginal dryness, and sleep issues are most associated with menopause, it’s important to note that it can also have a significant impact on a woman’s heart health.
So, what’s the link between menopause and heart health?
It’s well documented that the hormonal and physiological changes that occur during this stage of life can directly impact the heart. As women reach menopausal age, they produce less estrogen and tend to accumulate more belly fat, contributing to a cluster of symptoms known as metabolic syndrome. This syndrome encompasses several risk factors, including abdominal obesity, high triglycerides, low ‘good’ HDL cholesterol, high blood pressure, and high blood sugar. Additionally, menopausal changes render arteries more susceptible to disease, resulting in thickening and stiffening.
Interestingly, studies following women over time reveal that those who experience early menopause (at 45 or younger) tend to have more heart health issues later on compared to those who go through menopause around age 50. Similarly, and because a host of complex hormonal changes occur during menopause, studies indicate that women who experience natural menopause at a later age, have a lower risk of developing cardiovascular disease.
Although this could be attributed to genetics, the early onset of menopause can also be largely attributed to other factors.
For example, it’s more likely to occur if you:
- Started menstruating early (before age 8)
- Have never given birth or have only given birth once or twice
- Smoke
- Are underweight
Early menopause may also be triggered by treatment for other conditions, including radiotherapy, chemotherapy, certain hormone medications, or surgical removal of the ovaries. However, many cardiovascular events that are linked to menopause can also be attributed to general aging.
How to protect your heart
As always, prevention is better than cure – although menopause is inevitable, and although we can’t yet fully answer the question of how menopausal women can prevent heart disease, experts advise that all women — no matter their age — can reduce their risk for cardiovascular disease by making healthier choices and embracing a healthy lifestyle.
Indeed, we hear this time and again, but there is merit to the cliché.
OK, so what does that look like?
Women of reproductive age can protect themselves from heart cardiovascular disease later in life by doing the following:
- Managing blood pressure
- Losing weight
- Controlling cholesterol
- Reducing blood sugar
- Quitting smoking
- Getting (and staying) active — do at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity activity or 75 minutes of vigorous activity per week
- Eating a healthy and balanced diet consisting mostly of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, poultry and fish; it’s important to limit foods that are high in salt and sugar
For women who are in the menopausal or perimenopausal (the transitional period before menopause) stage of life, it’s also important to involve and work closely with your doctor. Together, you can craft a personalized lifestyle or treatment plan tailored to address any existing or potential cardiovascular concerns, setting the stage for a healthier, longer life.