Heart Disease Prevention and Menopause

Heart disease risk rises for everyone as they age, but for women symptoms can become more evident after the onset of menopause.

Menopause does not cause cardiovascular diseases. However, certain risk factors increase around the time of menopause and a high-fat diet, smoking or other unhealthy habits begun earlier in life can also take a toll.

Menopause isn’t a disease. It’s a natural phase of a woman’s life cycle. It’s important for women, as they approach menopause, to really take stock of their health.

More than one in three female adults has some form of cardiovascular disease. An overall increase in heart attacks among women is seen about 10 years after menopause.

If you’ve followed a healthy lifestyle and continue doing so at menopause, your risk for heart disease and stroke is lower. Family history also contributes to your risk. I have a history of heart disease on both sides of my family and for the last few years have had a consistent elevated cholesterol reading at my yearly physicals even though I eat healthy and exercise regularly. So do not get discouraged if you are doing everything right and your blood test show elevated levels.

Women should take care of their heart through regular exercise and good nutrition and by eliminating unhealthy habits like smoking, which may contribute to early menopause, increase the risk of blood clots decrease the flexibility of arteries and lower the levels of HDL cholesterol.

To get the nutrients you need, the American Heart Association recommends eating a dietary pattern that emphasizes:

  • fruits, vegetables,

  • whole grains,

  • low-fat dairy products,

  • poultry, fish and nuts,

  • while limiting red meat and sugary foods and beverages.

Women should aim for at least 150 minutes of physical activity each week to prevent heart disease, and 300 minutes or more weekly for a significant weight loss  program, depending on individual needs. Walking, cycling, dancing, or swimming — activities that use larger muscles at low resistance — are good aerobic exercises.

Reference: American Heart Association

Alyssa Downey, NBC-HWCComment