Washington physician says menopause is a warning sign for heart health

During Menopause Awareness Month, doctors in Washington are reminding women that heart disease remains the leading cause of death and that menopause can negatively affect cardiovascular health.

Research from the American Heart Association indicates that women in perimenopause are twice as likely to have low cardiovascular health scores as women who still have regular menstrual cycles.

Although the findings are concerning, obstetrician-gynecologist Dr. Ory Holtzman says menopause should also be viewed as an opportunity to take action.

“This is a great time to sit down with your clinician and review risk factors like your blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar — understand your long-term cardiovascular risk, and put into motion any plans for minimizing that risk,” Holtzman said.

Holtzman said that when estrogen levels decline, the changes can affect body composition and blood vessels in ways that influence the heart.

Health experts recommend about 20 minutes of moderate exercise each day and a diet centered on plant-based foods to support heart health.

Holtzman also stressed that lifestyle changes do not have to be an all-or-nothing effort. She advises starting with the risk factors that matter most over time, including avoiding smoking, exercising consistently and eating more whole foods.

“Remember that perfection isn’t the goal,” Holtzman noted. “It’s increased awareness and making healthy changes, not a checklist where we are prescribed something and we have to do every single thing.”

She added that hormone therapy for menopause is not automatically harmful to the heart, but it is also not the right choice for everyone as a way to prevent heart disease. While it can help relieve symptoms such as hot flashes, it is not a one-size-fits-all treatment.