Why Menopause Makes Women More Vulnerable to Heart Disease

Women entering menopause face a significantly heightened risk of heart disease, experts warn. This critical phase, marking the end of menstruation, profoundly impacts cardiovascular health. The primary driver behind this increased vulnerability is the decline in estrogen levels.

Estrogen plays a vital role in protecting blood vessels and maintaining healthy cholesterol levels. As these levels drop during menopause, women become more susceptible to high blood pressure, diabetes, unhealthy cholesterol levels, and weight gain, particularly around the abdomen. These gradual changes collectively elevate the risk of heart attacks and strokes.

Complicating matters, heart disease symptoms in women can be subtle and often go unrecognized. Unlike the classic severe chest pain, women may experience prolonged fatigue, shortness of breath, sudden nausea, or dizziness. Sleep disturbances and pain in the jaw, neck, back, or shoulders can also be indicators.

"The problem is that these symptoms are often mistaken for stress, the aging process, or normal parts of menopause," said Dr. Sanjat Chiwane, senior director of cardiology at Fortis Memorial Research Institute. This misinterpretation frequently leads to delayed medical attention, hindering timely and effective treatment for a serious condition that should never be ignored.

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The problem is that these symptoms are often mistaken for stress, the aging process, or normal parts of menopause.