Menopause: The risk of heart attack doubles in women with menopause, follow these 7 heart care tips from now on..

Stress, irregular lifestyle, and unhealthy eating habits prove to be the cause of the risk of heart diseases in the body. In this era of modernity, even young people are facing this problem. Especially women are becoming victims of cardiovascular disease i.e. CVD after the menstrual cycle stops. In such a situation, the risk of heart disease and stroke is increasing in women. But the question that arises in the minds of most people is how heart disease can be triggered after menopause. First, let us know the connection between menopause and cardiovascular disease (Menopause and heart health) and then the ways to get relief from it.

According to the American Heart Association, the risk of heart disease is reduced in women who go through menopause at an older age. According to the School of Public Health of the University of Pittsburgh, women go through menopause, so they experience a lot of changes.

Dr. Gaurav Minocha, Director of Cardiology, Max Super Specialty Hospital, Vaishali, explains that during menopause, the production of estrogen in the body decreases, due to which more fat gets deposited on the stomach. This problem is known as metabolic syndrome. This happens when a person has at least three of the following symptoms: increased abdominal obesity, high triglycerides, HDL cholesterol levels, and high blood sugar or high blood pressure (Menopause and heart health).

Many hormonal changes occur after menopause. During menopause, the production of estrogen in the body decreases. Image: Adobe Stock
What is the connection between menopause and cardiovascular disease (Menopause and heart health)
According to the report of the National Library of Medicine, in a research conducted on 9,374 women, the risk of type 2 diabetes and heart disease i.e. CVD was seen in women suffering from pre-menopause. Researchers found that women who experienced early menopause, or periods that stopped before the age of 45, had a higher risk of heart disease and an increased risk of type 2 diabetes.

The risk for coronary heart disease, stroke, atherosclerosis, and heart failure was 1.09 to 1.1 times higher in premenopausal women than in postmenopausal women. These risks were even higher in those who experienced early menopause and already had type 2 diabetes.

Estrogen may have cardioprotective, or heart-protecting effects, effects in the years before menopause. Perimenopause is the time when the ovaries begin to produce less estrogen. The heart's function begins to be affected and it becomes more sensitive due to the drop in estrogen levels.

Tips to deal with heart disease after menopause

1. Regular exercise
It is important to include regular physical activity in your routine. Exercise helps maintain a healthy weight. It also strengthens the heart and blood vessels, improving overall health. Aiming to do at least 150 minutes of low-intensity aerobic workouts every week benefits the body.

2. Weight management
Keep your weight under control. Weight gain is common after menopause, but maintaining a healthy weight can reduce the risk of heart disease to a great extent. A balanced diet and exercise play an important role in weight management.

3. Eat a healthy diet
Include fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean protein, and low-fat dairy products in your meals. This keeps the heart healthy. Include limited amounts of saturated and trans fats in the diet. Also, limit the amount of sodium and sugar. Prioritize foods that support heart health, such as fish, nuts, and olive oil.

4. Control blood pressure
Keep checking your blood pressure daily. Keeping it below 140/90 is important for heart health. If your blood pressure is high, lifestyle changes or treatment with a doctor's advice is necessary. This helps maintain proper heart health.

5. Prevent blood sugar spikes
Check blood sugar to maintain proper health. Fasting blood sugar levels should be less than 100 and the level after eating should be less than 140. This can avoid the risk of sugar spikes.

6. Stay away from stress
Practice stress-reducing techniques such as meditation, deep breathing exercises, or yoga regularly. Stress management can positively affect your heart health.

7. Limit alcohol consumption
Excessive alcohol consumption is proven to cause high blood pressure and other cardiovascular problems. This also increases the risk of problems related to the heart, kidneys, and liver.

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