Menopause and Heart Health: What Do You Need to Know?

One of the many things that can affect heart health is menopause. It is important to know that research shows there is more fat around the heart after menopause. If you are helping to take care of your elderly loved one, be sure that they keep their heart as healthy as possible after they hit menopause.  

Research also shows that women have a higher risk of having a heart attack 10 years after they went into menopause. The main cause of this is not having estrogen to help with heart health. Estrogen is needed to help keep the artery’s inner layers healthy and strong. Studies show that the increased fat around the heart and the lack of estrogen play the biggest roles in the worsened heart health that many elderly women experience.  

Fluctuations in Hormones 

As a family caregiver, you also need to know that the fluctuations in your elderly loved one’s hormones can lead to worsened heart health. In certain studies, blood samples and heart scans show that women who did not take part in hormone replacement therapy had more fat stored around their hearts than those who did receive hormone replacement therapy. If your elderly loved one isn’t receiving this type of therapy, they need to pay very close attention to their heart health.  

Leading Cause of Death 

Cardiovascular disease is the main cause of death for women aged 50 and older. This is the average age that women will go through menopause. So, you can see there is a link between menopause and heart health.  

How to Help 

If you are a family caregiver of a woman who is in menopause, there are some things that you can do to help. You should encourage your elderly loved one to go to their doctor regularly for routine check-ups. If they are having any heart health symptoms, they should tell their doctor immediately. Encouraging your elderly loved one to exercise regularly can help them to maintain or even improve their heart health, as well. If they need someone to be with them while they are exercising for safety reasons, you can hire senior care providers to help. Eating healthier is going to help your elderly loved one to maintain and improve their heart health, too. 

There is a link between menopause and heart health. If your elderly loved one has or will soon be going through menopause, be sure they are taking the best care of their heart.  

If you or an aging loved-one is considering senior care in O’Fallon, MO please contact the caring staff at Autumn Home Care, LLC today at 636-448-9347. 

Sources 

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5523758/

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17364594/

https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2015-07/uops-maw072115.php

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Kimberly Burdo

Owner at Autumn Home Care, LLC

Autumn Home Care is a locally owned and operated in-home elder care provider, dedicated to helping clients remain in the homes they love for as long as they can. We are a non-medical home care company, staffed by warm and compassionate professionals, experienced in taking care of seniors in various stages of health. We handle a wide range of services, such as help with shopping, housekeeping, attending doctor’s appointments, and preparing meals. We also provide clients with limited mobility or more intensive conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease or Dementia that need a higher level of personal care. Call our team if you need help with a loved one's care.

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