There are many common menopause signs for women, including hot flashes, anxiety and depression but women in Maryland and across the country are more vulnerable to other less commonly known health risks when transitioning to a new stage of life.
New research from the American Heart Association showed perimenopausal women are also twice as likely to have low cardiovascular health scores as women with regular menstrual cycles.
Dr. Ory Holtzman, a physician at Kaiser Permanente in Washington, said heart disease is the leading cause of death for women and menopause can take a toll on heart health.
“This is a great time to sit down with your clinician and review risk factors like your blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar, understand your long-term cardiovascular risk, and put into motion any plans for minimizing that risk,” Holtzman advised.
Holtzman explained when estrogen levels drop, it can change body composition and blood vessels, which can affect the heart. Experts recommend about 20 minutes of moderate exercise daily and a diet rich in plant-based foods to keep your heart healthy.
When it comes to lifestyle changes, Holtzman emphasized it is not all or nothing. She recommended people start by understanding their risk factors and focusing on changes with the biggest effects over time, like not smoking, moving regularly and eating more whole foods.
“Remember that perfection isn’t the goal. It’s increased awareness and making healthy changes, not a checklist where we are prescribed something and we have to do every single thing,” Holtzman stressed.
Holtzman added hormone therapy for menopause is neither universally bad for the heart nor the right choice for everyone to protect against heart disease. She noted it can effectively treat symptoms like hot flashes but is not a one-size-fits-all solution.
This story was originally published by Public News Service. Reprinted without changes.
