Take Heart During Perimenopause
+ Infographic text Why does your risk for heart disease increase as you approach menopause? Estrogen helps protect your heart because it keeps: Your arteries flexible Your blood vessels relaxed Your cholesterol levels in check But, your ovaries start producing less estrogen during perimenopause. The decline in estrogen = higher risk for heart disease 2) Metabolic syndrome increases your heart disease risk — and it’s more common after menopause Metabolic syndrome is when you have at least 3 of the following: Excess belly fat High triglycerides High blood pressure High blood sugar Low HDL (“good”) cholesterol 3) Age plays a role Getting older causes changes in the heart and blood vessels and can lead to heart problems Heart disease is serious Heart disease is the #1 cause of death for women in the U.S. About 1 in 5 women die from heart disease Black women are at higher risk for heart disease compared to other women Did you know? Vasomotor symptoms of menopause, such as hot flashes and night sweats, are linked with a higher risk of heart disease. Your risk of heart disease is 2x–3x higher after you reach menopause. But, it’s never too late to start protecting your heart. Get your heart pumping Physical activity is #1 on the list for good heart health. Moving more helps lower your risk for heart disease and other conditions that can hurt your heart including: Stroke High blood pressure Type 2 diabetes Cancer Guidelines for physical activity each week 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise like brisk walking (about 22 minutes a day) or 75 minutes of vigorous aerobic like running or An equal mix of both +Muscle-strengthening activities 2 days a week Change your habits, change your heart Lifestyle factors can prevent heart disease. These can include: Quitting smoking Eating a healthy diet Maintaining a healthy weight Getting quality sleep Managing your stress Getting regular check-ups Keeping your cholesterol and blood pressure in check Maintaining healthy blood sugar levels You can’t stop the hormonal changes that happen during perimenopause. But you can take steps to keep yourself and your heart as healthy as possible. This educational resource was created with support from Pfizer, a HealthyWomen Corporate Advisory Council member.
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Why does your risk for heart disease increase as you approach menopause?
-
Estrogen helps protect your heart because it keeps:
-
Your arteries flexible
-
Your blood vessels relaxed
-
Your cholesterol levels in check
But, your ovaries start producing less estrogen during perimenopause.
The decline in estrogen = higher risk for heart disease
2) Metabolic syndrome increases your heart disease risk — and it’s more common after menopause
Metabolic syndrome is when you have at least 3 of the following:
-
Excess belly fat
-
High triglycerides
-
High blood pressure
-
High blood sugar
-
Low HDL (“good”) cholesterol
3) Age plays a role
Getting older causes changes in the heart and blood vessels and can lead to heart problems
Heart disease is serious
-
Heart disease is the #1 cause of death for women in the U.S.
-
About 1 in 5 women die from heart disease
-
Black women are at higher risk for heart disease compared to other women
Did you know?
Vasomotor symptoms of menopause, such as hot flashes and night sweats, are linked with a higher risk of heart disease.
Your risk of heart disease is 2x–3x higher after you reach menopause. But, it’s never too late to start protecting your heart.
Get your heart pumping
Physical activity is #1 on the list for good heart health.
Moving more helps lower your risk for heart disease and other conditions that can hurt your heart including:
-
Stroke
-
High blood pressure
-
Type 2 diabetes
-
Cancer
Guidelines for physical activity each week
150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise like brisk walking (about 22 minutes a day)
or
75 minutes of vigorous aerobic like running
or
An equal mix of both
+Muscle-strengthening activities 2 days a week
Change your habits, change your heart
Lifestyle factors can prevent heart disease. These can include:
-
Quitting smoking
-
Eating a healthy diet
-
Maintaining a healthy weight
-
Getting quality sleep
-
Managing your stress
-
Getting regular check-ups
-
Keeping your cholesterol and blood pressure in check
-
Maintaining healthy blood sugar levels
You can’t stop the hormonal changes that happen during perimenopause. But you can take steps to keep yourself and your heart as healthy as possible.
This educational resource was created with support from Pfizer, a HealthyWomen Corporate Advisory Council member.
