As you approach menopause, changes occur in your body that can affect your cardiovascular health. Heart disease is the leading cause of death in individuals over 65, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. While you cannot control all risk factors, dietary supplements such as niacin may offer ways to decrease your risk as you age. As with any supplement, consult your doctor before taking niacin, especially if you are on heart medication or are considering hormone replacement therapy.
Symptoms of Menopause
Several symptoms of menopause may affect cardiovascular health. Common symptoms include heart palpitations, accumulation of abdominal fat and hot flashes. Palpitations and hot flashes often occur together, adding to the discomfort you may feel. Some women may experience stress going through this life change that may increase the risk for palpitations. As you age, other factors may increase your risk for other heart issues, such as high blood pressure and cholesterol. Niacin may offer relief for some individuals.
What Is Niacin?
Niacin, or vitamin B-3, is part of the B complex of vitamins required for proper body function. One of its primary roles is its participation in more than 200 chemical reactions in the human body. These reactions include those responsible for metabolism of fats and carbohydrates as well as energy production. Niacin may also provide benefits related to heart disease risk, which increases in women after menopause. A number of factors affect your risk, including changes in cholesterol. High cholesterol is a major risk factor for developing heart disease.
Benefits
Niacin will help lower your risk by reducing your cholesterol. The Linus Pauling Institute Micronutrient Information Center at Oregon State University says that it is a common complementary treatment to cholesterol-lowering drugs. High cholesterol levels can lead to atherosclerosis, or hardening of the arteries. This can place a greater strain on your heart as it works to pump blood through the narrowed openings. Combined with additional fat accumulation, the stress on the heart increases. Controlling cholesterol is an important part of maintaining good cardiovascular health.
Guidelines for Use
While niacin may be effective, you may find it inappropriate if you regularly experience hot flashes. One of the side effects of taking niacin is a warm, itchy sensation especially when taking it with hot beverages or alcohol. If you are taking blood pressure medications, you should get up slowly from lying down because of lower blood pressure caused by your medication and niacin. Because of its effects on the cardiovascular system, consult your doctor before taking niacin to avoid unexpected drug interactions.
