In light of American Heart Month, I wanted to take some time to discuss some of the connnections between menopause and high cholesterol and how this increases the risk of heart disease in menopausal and post-menopausal women.
The Study of Women’s Health Across the Nation (SAWN) has followed more than 3,000 American women since 1996. The study indicated that the onset of menopause significantly increases LDL (“bad” cholesterol) cholesterol levels in women. LDL cholesterol attaches to the inner walls of arteries, forming plaque buildup and eventually constricting blood flow from heart. It’s important that women nearing menopause are proactive about their health, to avoid the potential risk of heart disease and other health complications.
Here are some steps that I recommend women take to improve their overall health and wellness and eliminate the risk of health challenges associated with aging.
- Bioidentical hormones – High LDL cholesterol during menopause is often the result of an estrogen deficiency. As women enter perimenopause, estrogen levels begin to gradually decline and continue throughout menopause. Bioidentical hormones replace the estrogen hormones that the body no longer produces. In addition to alleviating menopause symptoms such as hot flashes, weight gain, hair loss and mood swings, bioidentical estrogen, when combined with customized fitness and nutrition, can significantly reduce a woman’s risk of developing heart disease.
- Exercise – Physical fitness increases blood flow and eliminates plaque buildup along the arterial walls. Cardiovascular fitness is classified as any activity that gets the heart rate up and increases breathing. Experts say that daily exercise can reduce a woman’s risk of heart disease by 50%.
- Stress reduction – Stress reduction techniques control the release of the stress hormone, known as cortisol. Cortisol is released by the adrenal glands as a “fight or flight” response to stress. Unfortunately, the overproduction of cortisol often leads to a variety of conditions often typified by metabolic syndrome, such as adrenal fatigue, obesity, diabetes and heart disease. Stress reduction techniques, such as breathing exercises and mediation help to slow the heart rate and in turn prevent cortisol imbalance.
- Nutrition – Nutrition is paramount in disease prevention. A variety of foods have been proven to lower the risk of heart disease such as salmon, lettuce, apples, almonds, olive oil, red wine and soy products. Many of these foods fight inflammation and rid the body of free radicals, which often result in oxidative stress.
I have helped women and men in their 30′s and older overcome health challenges brought on by hormonal imbalances such as menopause and andropause (the male menopause) using a three-pronged approach to wellness, combining bioidentical hormones with customized nutrition and fitness regimens.
High cholesterol is indeed a major health problem and a silent assassin.
I’ve also written posts on my blog dealing with what to be done by a patient if he or she discovers high cholesterol in his or her blood.
Keep up with the good work.
Amr.
Hello, I am french canadian of 56 years old.For the first time I had on my blood analyse a high cholesterol’s level. I always had a good nutrition, but I feel so bad everything is mixed up in my body!! I tried many ways to relief my pains and disorders without success: herbs, homeopathie, progesterone cream, and I feel so tired. Can you tell me if I can found a practician bioidentic hormone in Canada, Specificaly near Montreal, Québec. I feel desesperatly and I search for almost a year for a test hormonal level. Thank you so much
So what is considered a normal cholesterol (lLdl and Hdl) for a woman in menopause -mid 50s? Is a total score of 206 (Ldl 133) a reason to take medicine to lower cholesterol?