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When you enter your late 40s and early 50s and begin the transition to menopause, your body goes through a lot of changes.
As you age and your estrogen levels decline, you can experience a wide range of unpleasant symptoms, including hot flashes, night sweats, sleep disturbances, mood changes, and brain fog. In addition to the symptoms of menopause, your risk for heart disease increases.
Heart disease is the leading cause of death in women in the United States, and menopause plays a huge role in your risk for poor heart health as you age. Part of the commonality of poor heart health in women after menopause is the lack of understanding of how your body handles the changes that come with it.
So, our team of women’s health experts at the Center for Women’s Health in Sugar Land and Richmond, Texas, wants to discuss how menopause impacts your heart health and what to do about it in this month’s blog.
How menopause impacts your heart health
While menopause doesn’t directly cause heart disease, lower estrogen levels can cause a myriad of health issues that increase your risk for heart problems.
During menopause, it’s common to accumulate more belly fat. More fat around the abdomen is commonly linked to what’s known as metabolic syndrome, a major contributor to heart disease risk.
Metabolic syndrome is diagnosed when you have at least three of the following:
- Extra weight and fat accumulation in the belly area
- High blood pressure
- High blood sugar
- High triglycerides
- Low “good” cholesterol and high “bad” cholesterol
In addition to increased risk of metabolic syndrome, aging causes your arteries to become stiffer and narrower, leading to a higher likelihood of heart disease.
Other common menopausal complaints that are linked to higher chances of poor heart health include sleep changes, weight gain, hot flashes and night sweats, and depression.
How to be proactive about protecting your heart health
No matter if you haven’t started the transition to menopause yet or if you’ve been postmenopausal for a while now, it’s vital that you take steps to care for your heart health. Habits that improve your heart health boost your overall health as well!
One of the best things you can do to combat the effects of menopause and lower your risk of heart disease is exercise. Doing some type of physical activity for 150 minutes per week lowers your blood pressure, helps with weight management, reduces stress levels, boosts bone health, improves mental health, and encourages optimal sleep.
Another part of protecting your heart health is eating a nutrient-dense diet. Focusing on eating more fruits, vegetables, healthy fats, lean proteins, and whole grains while reducing your intake of foods that are processed and high in added sugars gives your body the fuel it needs to function well.
Other habits that can improve your heart health include quitting tobacco use, monitoring your blood pressure and cholesterol levels regularly, getting enough sleep, and caring for your mental health.
To learn how our team can partner with you to encourage optimal health and wellness before, during, and after menopause, schedule an appointment with us by calling our office or using our online booking feature today.