Women and Heart Disease

As women age, so does their risk for heart disease. I bet you would be surprised to learn that heart disease is the leading cause of death in women over 40, this is especially true after menopause.

During menopause the ovaries will gradually produce less of the female hormone (estrogen) and this causes quite a few changes. The decline in estrogen can affect a woman’s susceptibility to heart disease. It’s important to monitor your cholesterol levels. An increase in LDL Cholesterol (the damaging kind) can be a threat to your heart just as a decrease in HDL cholesterol (the good kind) can make you more at risk.

An increase in fibrinogen levels can also affect the health of your heart. Fibrinogen is a substance in your blood that helps the blood to clot. It is a good thing, but too much is not- it can cause heart disease and even strokes. This can happen when a clot forms which can narrow the arteries and actually reduce the flow of blood to your heart. As a woman ages, changes in the walls of the blood vessels can occur too. This can increase the likelihood for plaque and blood clots to form.

But don’t lose “heart”, (pun intended) there are ways you can be proactive. Try to keep your weight in check, excess weight especially around the middle section can put you in danger of heart problems. If you are a smoker, please quit. Your heart and the rest of your body will thank you. Women who smoke and take birth control pills are at greater risk of having a heart attack or stroke because this increases the risk of blood clots.

Try to watch out for high blood pressure and diabetes as these are both also high risks for your heart. Try to be active exercising for at least 30 minutes 3 times a week or more. It was thought years ago that hormone replacement therapy – replacing the estrogen that the body no longer produces was helpful against the threat of heart disease. However research is now showing that some forms of this replacement therapy could actually be harmful.

Limit bad fats such as saturated fats and Trans fats. They are very dangerous for heart health and should be avoided. Saturated fats should be kept to nor more than 10 percent of your diet. Examples are red meat, dairy products and palm oils. Try to keep Trans fats out of your diet altogether. Hydrogenated fat is also another kind of Trans fat. Examples are deep fried foods, packaged snack foods, margarine and most crackers. These fats can build up and cause blockages in your arteries. Eat more fish, they are rich in omega-3 fatty acids which are actually good for your heart. A diet rich in fruits, vegetables, fiber, legumes and whole grains can help protect your heart. Beans, other low-fat sources of protein and fish also can reduce your risk of heart disease.

Your heart is one of the hardest working organs in the body and the more you do for it the better off you will be.