Changes in hormone levels can affect your cardiovascular health so discover how to keep your heart healthy
• A healthy heart is important for your overall health
• Oestrogen, progesterone and testosterone are beneficial for your heart health
• Tips on maintaining a healthy heart during perimenopause and menopause
Before menopause, women have a lower risk of developing high blood pressure and coronary heart disease than men of the same age. However, cardiovascular risk increases after women experience menopause. We know that the hormones oestradiol (oestrogen), progesterone and testosterone have important, protective roles on the function of your heart and cardiovascular system:
Oestradiol: helps control heart rate and keeps the cells the line the interior of your blood vessels healthy, which helps to keep your blood pressure down. Oestradiol helps to reduce your LDL levels (“bad” cholesterol), increase your “good” HDL cholesterol and reduces the risk of fat building up in your arteries [1].
Progesterone: the cardio-protective effects of progesterone are less well known than those of oestradiol, but evidence shows it relaxes (and widens) blood vessels to improve blood flow and lower blood pressure [2]. During pregnancy, when levels of progesterone (and oestradiol) are elevated, women often have lower blood pressure.
Testosterone: Lowers blood pressure and increases blood flow to the arteries.
RELATED: Heart health and hormones
Can HRT help my heart?
Taking HRT can help protect the health of your heart, according to a growing body of research. In her paper on oestrogen and cardiovascular disease, Dr Felice Gersch advises that as the numbers of women suffering from, and dying of, cardiovascular diseases remains high, ‘practicing CVD specialists should consider the safe use of HRT, prescribing physiological doses of transdermal E2 [oestradiol] and oral P4 [progesterone], as a modality to maintain a healthy, highly functional CV system for the promotion of healthy longevity’ [3].
If you have an early menopause or surgical menopause before the age of 40, you are at higher risk of cardiovascular disease, so it’s important to discuss possible treatments with your healthcare professional.
Reviews of evidence have shown that the risk of dying from heart disease in women taking HRT is reduced by about 30% [4]. By replacing the missing hormones, there is less furring and clogging of the lining of the arteries, which reduces the risk of heart disease, and blood pressure is lowered, which reduces the risk of heart failure.
RELATED: Blood pressure and menopause: what you need to know
If you start HRT during perimenopause, or within 10 years of your menopause, you have a lower risk of developing heart disease than women who don’t take HRT [4]. The impact of starting HRT more than 10 years after menopause on the risk of heart disease is also likely to be beneficial (with transdermal oestradiol and micronised progesterone) [5].
Testosterone in combination with oestrogen reduces postmenopausal women's cardiovascular risk by improving body composition, reducing insulin sensitivity and inflammation, plus improving cholesterol [6]. No adverse cardiovascular effects have been seen in studies of transdermal testosterone therapy in women [7].
RELATED: Heart health, menopause and HRT FAQ
How else can I look after my heart?
There are lots of things you can do to support your heart health and reduce your risk of heart disease and stroke. These include:
• Checking your blood pressure regularly and taking any prescribed blood pressure medicines
• Checking your cholesterol and taking any prescribed medications
• Cutting out or limiting your alcohol intake so that you do not exceed recommended alcohol limits
• Stopping smoking (smoking is a major risk factor in furring up and narrowing your arteries)
• Maintaining a healthy weight to reduce your chances of developing high blood pressure. Combining a healthy diet with regular exercise is the best way of maintaining a healthy weight
• Taking regular exercise to make your heart and blood circulatory system more efficient, lower your cholesterol level, and keep your blood pressure at a healthy level. Aerobic exercise, such as walking, swimming and dancing, is particularly beneficial
• Eating a healthy, balanced diet that is low in processed foods, and high in fibre, with plenty of fruit and vegetables
• Managing your levels of stress and finding ways to relax on a regular basis
• Downloading the free Balance app to log food, drink and activity and take charge of your health
RELATED: How much should I exercise during the perimenopause and menopause?
