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Heart Attack Post-Menopause: What Every Woman Should Know
After the age of 50, more than half of all women's deaths are caused by cardiovascular disease. It is estimated that heart disease is the leading cause of death among women.
However, studies indicate that your risk of coronary heart disease increases after menopause [1].
Women in general have a lower risk of coronary heart disease before menopause.
How Does Menopause Affect Your Heart? Does It Increase Risk Of Heart Attack Post-Menopause?
A woman's hormone oestrogen plays a vital role in regulating her menstrual cycle and can offer some protection against coronary artery disease. It can reduce the risk of a heart attack by controlling cholesterol levels [2].
By doing so, fatty plaques within the artery walls are less likely to build up. With age, the blood vessels can become stiffer, which is a risk factor for heart attacks and strokes in women.
When a woman reaches menopause, her body gradually produces less oestrogen than it did before. As a result, coronary arteries are more likely to narrow, whereas previously it was protective of the artery walls, reducing plaque buildup [3].
A woman's risk for coronary heart disease, or a circulatory condition such as stroke, increases as a result of this.
Heart Attack Post Menopause: Risks
It is even more dangerous for women who have experienced menopause if they also suffer from any of the following health conditions or lifestyle factors [4]:
- Diabetes
- Smoking
- High blood pressure
- High LDL or "bad" cholesterol
- Low HDL or "good" cholesterol
- Obesity
- Inactive lifestyle
- Family history of heart disease
How Can Menopausal Women Reduce Their Risk of Heart Disease?
Practising healthy lifestyle habits can greatly reduce the risk of heart disease in women. The following tips can help you reduce your risk of heart disease during and after menopause [5]:
- Quit smoking or avoid smoking.
- Keep a healthy weight.
- Maintain a regular exercise schedule throughout the week.
- Maintain a diet low in saturated fats, low in trans fats (partially hydrogenated fats), and high in fibre, whole grains, legumes, fruits, vegetables, fish, and folate-rich foods.
- Manage medical conditions.
Do Menopausal Women Have An Increased Risk Of Heart Attack?
Menopause is associated with cardiovascular disease, including risk factors such as rising LDL (bad cholesterol) and a decline in HDL (good cholesterol) [6].
Additionally, studies that have followed women over a period of time have demonstrated that women who undergo early menopause (45 and younger) have a greater risk of developing cardiovascular health problems later in life than women who undergo menopause at a normal age (around 50).
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for general informational and educational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or a qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
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