8 signs of heart changes during menopause
A woman’s risk for heart disease increases dramatically during her menopause. As oestrogen levels drop women may experience some changes in blood pressure, heart rate, and more. The five greatest concerns are:
1. High blood pressure – lower levels of oestrogen make heart and blood vessels stiffer, which can cause blood pressure to rise. This can place added strain on the heart.
2. High cholesterol – you may see changes in your blood cholesterol and fats. The “bad” fats (LDL) may go up, which increases your risk of heart attacks.
3. Diabetes - women going through menopause become more resistant to insulin – a hormone that converts blood sugar and starches into energy. As a result, women are more likely to become prediabetes and diabetic during menopause.
4. Atrial fibrillation - women may see an increase in abnormal heart rhythms which can cause dizziness.
5. Weight gain – oestrogen affects how fat is stored and burned by the body. Since the menopause also causes the metabolism to slow, weight gain in menopause is common. This increases the stress on the heart and the risk of heart disease.
There are some symptoms of heart changes that you should never ignore, as they may indicate an underlying heart condition:
-Palpitations – regular arrhythmic heart beats
-Shortness of breath –if you are finding even small effort leaves your breathless you should speak to your doctor.
-Pressure in the chest or a feeling of tightness –women often ignore this symptom as they feel it should be incredibly painful to count – it does not.
-Regular Headaches
-Lightheadedness or dizziness
-Jaw ache –this is a common sign of heart issues in women.
-Swelling of feet – fluid collecting in the feet can indicate congestive heart conditions.
-Difficulty lying flat – if you find lying on your back makes your breathless or is painful, this could be a symptom of fluid in lungs and congestive heart failure.
Luckily, there are steps you can take that will not only prevent, but may even help reverse, some of the risks of heart disease. Women who exercise, do not smoke, maintain a healthy weight, and eat a diet rich in fruits and vegetables, can lower their risk of heart disease as they age.
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