Menopause marks a time of great change in a woman's body. The ovaries stop producing eggs and hormone levels drop, causing symptoms including hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal dryness and sleepless nights. To top it off, the change in hormones can also impact the health of the blood vessels and heart by increasing low-density lipoproteins, also referred to as LDL, the "bad" cholesterol. Estrogen, the main female sex hormone, helps keep blood cholesterol levels down so the decline in estrogen levels during menopause often results in an increase in LDL cholesterol levels.
Impact of Cholesterol
It is important for women to understand the impact of cholesterol on the health of their cardiovascular system because high cholesterol can lead to heart disease, which remains the leading cause of death for women in the United States.
LDL cholesterol accumulates and forms plaques in the arteries. The formation of plaque restricts blood flow to the heart and brain and can lead to heart attack or stroke.
Estrogen Effects
Estrogen affects the cardiovascular system in a number of ways. Estrogen promotes the dilation of the arteries that helps keep blood flowing to the heart. Estrogen also helps protect cells from damage. This positively impacts cholesterol levels and the risk for heart disease because areas of cellular damage in the walls of the blood vessels attracts LDL cholesterol to accumulate -- less damage means less LDL accumulation.
LDL Cholesterol Levels
Everyone age 20 and older should know their cholesterol levels and monitor them at least every five years, according to the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute. As women go through menopause and reach age 55 or older they should prompt their doctor to test their cholesterol levels. Knowing your levels prior to menopause and monitoring them following menopause can help you and your doctor assess your risk for heart disease. Optimally LDL cholesterol levels should remain less than 100 mg/dL but levels that approach 160 mg/dL are considered high and pose a risk for heart disease. A long-term study known as the Study of Women's Health Across the Nation found that women show a significant increase in LDL cholesterol levels within a year of their final menstrual period.
Controlling Cholesterol
Women going through menopause can make lifestyle changes to help control LDL cholesterol levels. Participating in routine physical activity helps to keep LDL levels down while increasing high-density lipoproteins, or HDL, the type known as the "good" cholesterol, to decrease the risk of heart disease. If you're overweight, especially if you carry added weight in the middle portion of your body, losing as little as 5 to 10 lbs. can reduce your LDL cholesterol levels, according to MayoClinic.com.
References
- National Heart Lung and Blood Institute: High Blood Cholesterol -- What You Need to Know; June 2005
- American Heart Association: Cholesterol
- "Journal of American College of Cardiology": Are Changes in Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors in Midlife Women Due to Chronological Aging or to the Menopausal Transition; Mathews et. al.; 2009
- "Pharmacology Review": Vascular Actions of Estrogen; Miller and Duckles; June 2008
- MayoClinic.com: Top 5 Lifestyle Changes to Reduce Cholesterol; May 2010
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Heart Disease
