Women, Menopause and Heart Disease

As you age, heart disease risks rises. But for a women symptoms can become more evident after the onset of menopause. Also making healthy choices during any decade of life increases the chances of staying healthy as you age.

QUICK FACT:
Menopause does not cause cardiovascular diseases in women. Actually certain risk factors increase around the time of menopause due to high-fat diet, smoking or any other unhealthy lifestyle habits.

Women who approach menopause need 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.

Strive for Healthy Heart

Women in midlife transitioning to menopause may be able to lower their risk of developing heart disease and diabetes by exercising more or eating a lower calorie diet.

Eliminate all unhealthy habits like smoking which increase the risk of blood clots, decrease the flexibility of arteries and lower the levels of HDL cholesterol. Also smoking may contribute to early menopause.

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 with menopause should aim for at least 150 minutes of physical activity each week. Walking, cycling, dancing or swimming are some activities that use larger muscles at low resistance could be considered as some good aerobic exercises.

Wrapping Up…

Dr. Tejas Patel, Cardiologist in Ahmedabad, says “we often focus on researches on risk factors for heart diseases in older women and think they have the highest risks. But we should know that the risk factors are modifiable factors like physical activity, healthy lifestyle, low calorie diet, etc.”

So we could design preventive strategies for women of any age. Modifying diet and increasing exercise during midlife can help women ward off heart diseases.