Ahead of World Menopause Day, Vital Heart & Vein cardiologist Dr. Amanda Trang appeared on Houston’s Morning Show to talk about something many women don’t think about until later in life: how menopause affects the heart.
Hot flashes and sleep problems get most of the attention, but Dr. Trang explained that cardiovascular health can change significantly during perimenopause, the years leading up to menopause. For many women that starts in their forties.
Why does it happen? Estrogen helps protect the heart. As estrogen levels fluctuate and then drop, the body changes in ways that can raise heart disease risk. These include higher LDL (bad) cholesterol, stiffer blood vessels that can lead to high blood pressure, insulin resistance linked to diabetes, and more fat stored around the waist and internal organs.
What can you do? Some risk factors, like age, genetics, and family history, can’t be changed. But Dr. Trang stressed that many can. Her advice:
- Eat a healthy diet and stay active.
- Maintain a healthy weight.
- Keep blood pressure, cholesterol, and diabetes under control.
- Avoid smoking.
- Manage stress and get enough sleep, since it all ties together.
If you’re approaching perimenopause or menopause and want to understand your heart risk, our team can help. Schedule an appointment with a Vital Heart & Vein cardiologist.
