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Menopause and Your Heart: Key Tests to Keep Your Cardiovascular Health in Check
Published: Jul 06, 2024
While menopause is often associated with symptoms like hot flashes, it's also a time to pay extra attention to your heart health. Certain medical tests can help you and your doctor monitor your cardiovascular risk during this transition.
Why Heart Health Matters During Menopause
As estrogen levels decline during menopause, the risk of heart disease increases. This is because estrogen helps keep blood vessels flexible and helps maintain healthy cholesterol levels. After menopause, women's risk of heart disease begins to catch up with men's. Regular check-ups and appropriate tests can help detect potential issues early.
Essential Cardiovascular Tests
Several tests can provide valuable information about your heart health. A lipid panel measures your cholesterol levels, including LDL ('bad') cholesterol, HDL ('good') cholesterol, and triglycerides. Blood pressure checks are crucial, as hypertension risk increases after menopause. Your doctor may also recommend tests like fasting blood glucose to check for diabetes risk, or a C-reactive protein test to measure inflammation in your body.
Advanced Cardiovascular Screening
For some women, more advanced tests may be recommended. These could include an electrocardiogram (ECG) to check your heart's electrical activity, or a cardiac calcium score test, which uses a CT scan to check for buildup of calcium in your coronary arteries. Your doctor might suggest a carotid ultrasound to check for plaque buildup in the arteries leading to your brain.
When and How Often to Get Tested
The frequency of these tests depends on your individual risk factors. Generally, a lipid panel and blood pressure check are recommended at least every 5 years for women over 45, but your doctor may advise more frequent testing. If you have risk factors like high blood pressure, diabetes, or a family history of heart disease, you may need more frequent or additional tests.
Frequently Asked Questions
It depends on your symptoms and risk factors.
They assess risk, but can't predict specific events.
Most are, but check with your provider.
Yes, they can detect issues before symptoms appear.
Yes, diet and exercise can positively impact many results.
Knowledge is Power
Regular cardiovascular testing during and after menopause can help you stay ahead of potential heart issues.
References
- American Heart Association. (2021). Menopause and Heart Disease.
- U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. (2018). Screening for Cardiovascular Disease Risk With Electrocardiography: Recommendation Statement.
- El Khoudary SR, et al. (2020). Menopause Transition and Cardiovascular Disease Risk: Implications for Timing of Early Prevention: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association. Circulation.
This article has been reviewed for accuracy by one of the licensed medical doctors working for Doctronic. Always discuss health information with your healthcare provider.
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