• Menopause & Heart Disease: Managing Your Risk After “The Change of Life”

     
     
    2/22/2015
    During a woman’s reproductive life cycle, a naturally occurring hormone called estrogen provides some protection against cardiovascular disease, so women’s risk of heart disease is lower compared to men their age. While women – just like men – can develop heart disease, the risk is greater for women after menopause. This is when the ovaries stop producing estrogen and progesterone, causing menstrual periods to cease. If you have reached menopause, your overall risk of heart disease may increase due to the reduction of these hormones in your body.

    Why Does Heart Disease Risk Increase after Menopause?

    While heart disease risk increases for both men and women as they age, a woman’s symptoms may become more noticeable after the onset of menopause. Menopause does not cause cardiovascular disease in women, but the risk factors may increase during this time in a woman’s life. Unhealthy lifestyle habits may take a greater toll on heart health as women age, and especially after menopause.

    Click here to download (PDF) and learn more     about why the risk for heart disease is greater after menopause and steps you can take to help prevent heart disease,