What Women Aren't Told About Heart Health
|
This month, I'm focusing on heart health in midlife. It’s a topic that affects nearly every woman in perimenopause, yet isn’t talked about nearly enough! Did you know that heart health research has only recently started focusing on the unique differences between men and women? We have started to understand how female hormones change heart health risk — especially during perimenopause and menopause. Let’s break it down: Heart disease is the leading cause of death for women worldwide. Yes, even in high-income countries like the US. This statistic spans race and ethnicity, which means it’s something we all need to pay attention to. Menopause dramatically impacts heart risk. Estrogen naturally protects the heart. That’s why, if two women are the same age, the postmenopausal woman’s risk of a cardiovascular event is double that of the premenopausal woman. And those hot flashes and night sweats? They’ve been specifically linked to an increased risk of high blood pressure. Women have other unique heart health risk factors. Conditions like gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, PCOS, and endometriosis can increase heart disease risks. These are challenges male bodies never deal with. Heart symptoms are often misdiagnosed in women. Studies show women with heart disease symptoms are twice as likely as men to be told that it’s just "stress" or "anxiety". Heart attacks present differently in women. While chest pain can happen, many women experience more subtle signs like:
February is Heart Health month, and knowing these facts could literally save a life! Over the next few weeks, I'll talk more about how food and daily habits can support heart health during this phase of life. ❤️ xoxo Kimberly
|