Heart Disease in Women

March 24, 2010 | By Admin In Heart disease |

As we already know, men and women are very different. It’s the same when it comes to heart disease. In particular, what I want to talk to you about today is how a woman’s chances of developing heart disease is less before menopause. That is why it can seem like more men have heart disease than women.

So why is this? It has to do with the hormone in a woman’s body. Finally there’s a reason to celebrate all the hormonal circumstances that go on in a woman’s life! The estrogen in a woman’s body actually increases the amount of HDL cholesterol. You’ll recall, from previous posts, that the HDL cholesterol is known as the Healthier or good cholesterol. As well, women tend to have more HDL cholesterol than men do. This protective effect continues on during the childbearing stage of a woman’s life.

However once a women undergoes menopause, her chances of developing heart disease increase and approach levels found in men. This is a time when the natural levels of estrogen (and progesterone) decrease in a woman’s body. This is what is believed to cause the numerous menopausal symptoms varying from hot flashes to mood swings.

As a result of this, many women have used hormone replacement therapy (HRT), which replaces their own natural hormones with ones that are prescribed by a doctor. This has been beneficial for prevention of bone loss due to osteoporosis. However, it is recommended that women not take HRT for protection from heart disease. Women with a history of breast cancer are definitely advised against using HRT.

If you are a woman with heart disease, you may be on a medication that lowers your cholesterol levels, and possibly other medications for blood pressure. In addition to this, it is important to make lifestyle changes – eating a healthy diet, stop smoking, exercise, lose weight if necessary, and take adequate amounts of vitamins and minerals, in particular calcium and vitamin D to lower your risk of developing osteoporosis (bone loss after menopause). The link below has a product called Calcium Super Formula, which will deliver you with the recommended and full daily required levels of calcium, magnesium, and vitamin D that you need for good bone health!