Why we need to show our hearts more love. The impact of the menopause on cardiovascular health.
October 18th is National Menopause Awareness Day, and the theme for World Menopause Day 2023 is Cardiovascular Disease.
But what has heart disease got to do with menopause. I hear you ask?
"I sailed through the menopause... my periods stopped… no issues.. just a few hot flushes.. that's way behind me."
I can’t count the times I have heard this quote from women I know. Why? Because we tend to think of menopause as just the end of our reproductive years; your periods stop because your ovaries stop producing eggs and cause the hormone levels in your body to change. The levels of oestrogen, progesterone and testosterone go down.
But our lovely oestrogen is so much more than our reproductive hormone; it protects your heart and brain, improves muscle mass, boosts your mood and improves your sex life.
Heart Health before menopause
Estrogen is super important for heart health as it helps to control your cholesterol levels and reduces the risk of fat building up in your arteries and it also helps keep your blood vessels healthy.
Fact. Pre-menopause, women generally have a lower risk of being affected by coronary heart disease. But after the menopause, your risk increases.
Some sobering facts.
*Source ref below*
Breast cancer is often believed to be the number one cause of death and disability in women. In reality, it is cardiovascular disease.
In the UK around 830,000 women are living with coronary heart disease in the UK.
Heart disease is the number one cause of death in women under 75 in the UK. Coronary heart disease kills more than twice as many women as breast cancer. More than 3.5 million women in the UK live with heart disease. And this trend throughout the developing world is consistent.
Sadly, 77 women die from a heart attack daily in the UK – around 28,000 women yearly.
But despite these sobering statistics, many women are unaware of the risk factors for heart disease or actively have lifestyle and nutrition interventions in place to combat their increased susceptibility to heart disease.
In Wales, CHD kills more than twice as many women as breast cancer in Wales; it even kills more women prematurely (before the age of 75)
The number of cases of cardiovascular disease is high and continuing to rise.
Take control
By understanding more about the causes and impacts of cardiovascular disease, you can take steps to reduce your risk. And, whatever your age, you can start to make positive choices today and control the controllables.
Risk factors you need to be aware of:
high blood pressure
high cholesterol
diabetes
smoking
being overweight
not doing enough physical activity.
So is it's time to reconsider your heart health. It's time to make a plan to protect your heart.
YES. 100%
What you can do today.
My 3 top lifestyle tips you can do today to start to protect your heart.
Know your numbers - measure your blood pressure & get your cholesterol checked
Move more - get a smartwatch and start tracking your movement
Start to adopt a mediterranean anti-inflammatory diet. Once you know the basics and which foods to wind up or down, you'll have the key to protecting your heart, brain, joints and soul.
Want to learn more?
Join one of my free talks - A Smart Woman's Guide to Midlife
A glass full of goodness
Stress and Menopause. Why positive stress management is the key to managing your weight and living a fit, healthy and adventurous life throughout your midlife and beyond.
What's good for your Brian is good for the rest of your body.
Why women need to focus on food that protect our brain. In this Free online seminar, you will learn the nutrition principles for midlife women and why an anti-inflammatory diet protects your brain, heart, bones and overall health.
Why we need to lift, jump, skip and walk our way to fitness in midlife.
It's not a change in age that should stop us from exercising - it's a change in our hormones that need a change in movement strategy. In this seminar, I will introduce you to a scientifically proven fitness philosophy for midlife.
These FREE online talks are part of my Smart Woman's Guide to Midlife Series.
My role as an active wellbeing coach (menopause certified)
My role as an active wellbeing & menopause coach is to make you aware of the issues and support you to make positive lifestyle choices. My blog content (website) and well-being services aim to help you build functional health and provide general information only.
You should seek qualified medical advice if you suffer from or think you suffer from a medical condition.
Here are some invaluable resources for heart health for women
Coronary heart disease (CHD) - explained by the British Menopause society
An excellent site by the British Menopause Society Coronary heart disease (CHD) - Explained.
Prof John Stevenson, Consultant Metabolic Physician, Royal Brompton Hospital, Trustee – British Menopause Society, answers these FAQs: What is CHD? How can I reduce my risk for CHD? Does HRT affect CHD? I am at high risk for CHD, is it safe for me to take HRT? What type of HRT should I take? I have a history of high blood pressure, is it safe for me to take HRT?
British Heart Foundation
Women and heart disease the little-known facts.
Symptoms of a heart attack in women - important to note that these are different to men.
British Menopause Society - event on menopause awareness day
At 12pm on World Menopause Day - Tuesday 18 October - for an exclusive premiere of a new programme 'Menopause: Continuing the Conversation'. Presented by Louise Minchin, the programme discusses menopause news stories, misinformation, nutrition, workplace policies and why HRT isn't for everyone.
Key data (statistics)
Wales statistics women and heart disease
Ruth, x
In the business of change
Women's Health, Fitness & Wellbeing coach