Study Highlights Heart Health Risks for Menopausal Women
Significance of Cardiovascular Disease in Women
A recent study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association emphasizes the crucial role of heart health for women undergoing menopause. Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains the leading cause of death among women, particularly affecting women of color. The study outlines how fluctuating hormone levels elevate the risk of cardiac events in menopausal women and underscores the importance of maintaining a healthy lifestyle during midlife to mitigate this risk.
Understanding Cardiovascular Disease
CVD encompasses various diseases impacting the heart and blood circulatory system, potentially leading to severe medical conditions such as heart attacks, heart failure, strokes, peripheral artery disease, and renal disease. Common symptoms of a heart attack include:
– Pressure and pain in the center of the chest
– Discomfort in the jaw, neck, and arms
– Shortness of breath
– Dizziness, nausea, or vomiting
– Cold and clammy skin or excessive sweating
Women might also experience prodromal symptoms—warning signs occurring up to a year before a heart attack—such as unusual fatigue, indigestion, chest pressure, and sleep difficulties. These vague symptoms can often be overlooked or misdiagnosed.
Risk Factors for Cardiovascular Disease
Risk factors for CVD include a family history of the disease, smoking, obesity, high cholesterol, a sedentary lifestyle, and hypertension. Additionally, women face unique risks, including pregnancy-induced hypertension, gestational diabetes, and inflammatory conditions like arthritis.
Menopause as a CVD Risk Factor
During midlife, menopause introduces another risk factor for CVD. This phase signifies the end of menstruation and is associated with decreased estrogen production. Since estrogen offers heart protection, the reduction in estrogen levels in post-menopausal women heightens their risk of heart attacks.
Researchers from the University of Michigan conducted a study featured in the Journal of the American Heart Association, revealing that a healthy lifestyle during menopause could counteract the increased CVD risk linked to lower estrogen levels. The study utilized data from participants in the Study of Women’s Health Across the Nation (SWAN). Women aged 42-52 at the study’s commencement underwent annual medical exams and completed questionnaires regarding their physical activity, smoking, and dietary habits, as well as a non-invasive coronary artery ultrasound.
Promoting Heart Health through Lifestyle Changes
The research indicated that women who adopted healthier lifestyles exhibited significantly wider arteries and less arterial wall thickening or plaque buildup (atherosclerosis). Conversely, those who smoked had the least healthy arteries. The findings suggest that enhancing lifestyle choices is vital for women looking to improve heart health. Recommended changes include consuming a diet rich in whole grains, vegetables, fruits, and lean proteins; engaging in regular physical activity; ensuring adequate sleep; managing stress; and quitting smoking.
Dr. Ana Baylin, MD, one of the study’s authors, emphasized in a press release, “Midlife is a crucial window for women to take their cardiovascular wellness to heart and set a course for healthy aging. The metabolic changes that often occur with menopause—especially increases in cholesterol levels and blood pressure—can significantly increase the risk of heart attacks, strokes, and cognitive impairment later in life.”
References
Wang D, Jackson E, Karvonen-Gutierrez C, Elliott M, Harlow S, Hood M et al. Healthy Lifestyle During the Midlife Is Prospectively Associated With Less Subclinical Carotid Atherosclerosis: The Study of Women’s Health Across the Nation. Journal of the American Heart Association. 2018;7(23).
Got menopause? Healthy lifestyle now is crucial for heart health [Internet]. EurekAlert!. 2019 [cited 23 January 2019]. Available from: https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2018-11/aha-gmh112618.php