Heart disease is a serious risk for everyone as they age, but for women, the transition into menopause brings additional concerns.
According to an American Heart Association report published in Circulation in 2020, the years leading up to and after menopause are a critical time when a woman’s risk of heart disease increases.
Many people believe that breast cancer is the biggest health risk for women, but in fact, heart disease is the number one cause of death among women in the U.S., accounting for more deaths than all cancers combined.
Dr. Garima Sharma, a heart specialist and volunteer with the American Heart Association, explains, “One in 39 women in the U.S. dies from breast cancer each year, but one in three dies from cardiovascular disease, which is about one death every minute.”
Dr. Sharma emphasizes that women face unique risks for heart disease at every stage of life, but menopause is especially important because of the significant changes happening in the body during this time.
“Menopause is a natural phase of life for most women in their 40s or 50s,” she says, “but it’s never too early to start learning how these changes can impact heart health. Taking steps to stay heart-healthy as you approach menopause may help reduce risks later on.”
Studies presented at American Heart Association meetings show the increased heart risks associated with menopause:
- After menopause, 1 in 4 women may develop atrial fibrillation, a type of irregular heartbeat, with factors like stress and insomnia playing a big role.
- Women who experience late menopause (after age 55) are more likely to suffer from heart failure, especially if they are obese.
- Women who go through menopause before age 40 have a 40% higher chance of developing coronary heart disease.
- Early menopause also increases the risk of dementia by 35%.
- Social isolation and loneliness may raise the risk of heart disease by 29% in post-menopausal women.
Menopause itself doesn’t cause heart disease, but the physical changes during this time can have a big impact on heart health. These changes include lower estrogen levels, hot flashes, night sweats, depression, sleep problems, increased body fat, higher cholesterol levels, and weakened blood vessels.
As more women live longer, many will spend up to 40% of their lives after menopause. Dr. Sharma stresses the importance of personalized care during this time.
“We need to focus on protecting heart health with strategies tailored to each woman’s unique needs,” she says. Taking steps like monitoring lifestyle and health closely can help reduce the risk of heart disease and improve overall well-being during and after menopause.
If you care about heart health, please read studies about how vitamin D influences cholesterol levels, and what we know about egg intake and heart disease.
For more health information, please see recent studies about best supplements for heart disease prevention, and wild blueberries can benefit your heart and brain.
Source: American Heart Association.
