Menopause can not only cause unpleasant side effects in women, it also affects our heart health. A new study links the increased risk of heart disease after menopause mainly to declining estrogen levels.
Scientists at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center in California warn in a new study of a higher risk of heart disease in women after menopause. The decreased estrogen levels would promote the build-up of plaques in the arteries, a phenomenon that cannot be reduced by taking statins or cholesterol synthesis inhibitors.
Estrogen protects the heart
“After menopause, women produce much less estrogen (a substance that protects the heart) and switch to a testosterone-rich profile. This has an impact on how our body stores fat, where it stores fat and how it handles fat; it can even affect the way our blood clots. And all those elements increase the risk of developing heart disease,” said Dr. Ella Ishaaya, lead author of the study.
After menopause, the risk of heart disease in women increases exponentially compared to men of the same age. According to scientists, considering heart disease as a male ailment is a thing of the past.
“This study emphasizes that statins alone are not sufficient to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease in women. We need to equip women with the tools and knowledge to take charge of their own health,” said Professor Vijay Kunadian of the British Heart Foundation in a response to the study to the Daily Mail.
