Reduce the risk of heart disease triggered by menopause with these 5 tips

A woman’s life at any age is hard; yes, she’s at a high risk of contracting heart diseases, and there are several reasons for this. One of the factors is menopause. Much like puberty, it is also a transitional phase in a woman’s life. Is your mom menopausal? If yes, you should know this time can be turbulent for her, since  she needs all the support and care from her family members..

Although menopause means saying goodbye to tampons, periods, birth control pills, and cramps, it is a time to say hello to some new friends like weight gain, vaginal dryness, and some serious issues like heart disease. 

The link between menopause and heart disease

Menopause is a stage that occurs in every woman’s life. It is a time when reproductive hormones decline, and the menstrual cycle stops. When ovaries stop producing the hormone estrogen and progesterone, it marks the end of fertility. But the problem is that the declining level of these hormones is related to a higher risk of developing heart diseases. 

Menopausal women, who are already suffering from other health issues such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and obesity are at greater risk of developing heart diseases. However, menopause does not directly cause heart issues. Instead, it causes several changes in your body that can have a damaging impact on your heart. 

Women sometimes undergo menopause at a young age, and sometimes in their 40s, which carries on until their 50s. So, you need to help your mother to follow a healthy lifestyle, so that menopause does not cause heart problems. There are some lifestyle changes that may help to reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases during and after menopause.

Ready to find out? Here you go! 

1. Healthy eating

It is especially important to keep a check on your diet, because you are at a high risk of developing heart-related ailments. Ensure you follow a diet that includes fruits and veggies, whole grains, legumes, folate-rich foods, and low saturated fats and low trans fats diet to enhance heart health.

2. Stay active

Staying active means doing regular exercise or workouts, which may help to reduce the risk of developing clots or blockage in the arteries. Besides, exercising can also help to lower high blood pressure levels, cholesterol, maintain a healthy weight, and improve blood sugar levels.

3. Meditation to reduce stress

Stress can increase the inflammation in your body, which in turn is linked to factors that can harm your heart. Practising mindfulness eliminates stress and reduces anxiety, chronic pain, depression, and heart disease. So, meditate regularly to reduce stress levels. 

4. Quit smoking

Menopause already increases the risk of heart disease, and with smoking, the damage can be much more. Smoking can increase the heart rate, tighten major arteries, and cause an irregular heart rhythm. All in all, it can weaken your heart and raise blood pressure. So, avoid smoking at all costs.

5. Regular check-ups

Last but not the least, always go for regular health check-ups. This will help you assess the state of your health. Also, you can counter any health risk at an early stage, so the right treatment can start on time.