CCA Focus: Cardiovascular Risk and the Menopausal Transition | January, 2010

The SWAN (Study of Women’s Health Across the Nation), was a 9 year trial, where over 3,300 participants from ages 42-52 of different racial and ethnic groups that had in intact uterus, and did not using any exogenous hormones in 3 months prior to study entry, were followed for 9 years to study and describe the changes in coronary heart disease risk factors before and after their final menstrual period to determine whether changes in these factors were related to ovarian aging or chronological aging.

During this trial, researchers found that there were many different changes to each woman’s body within a year of their FMP. For example, total cholesterol, low-density cholesterol, and apolipoprotein B increased as menopause approached each woman. Additionally, lipid, the molecule in your body that functions as energy storage and signaling other molecules, changes were evident within each ethnic group and the patterns were closely related. Clinicians should explain to their patients that the pattern of lipids change related to menopause.

With no effect from menopause, researchers noticed that the increase in triglycerides, Lp (a), insulin, and systolic blood pressure increased gradually because of aging. Glucose, plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 decreased and diastolic blood pressure, fibrinogen and C-reactive protein stayed neutral.

Concerning blood pressure, doctors need to educate their patients about keeping their blood pressure low, avoid hypertension. People who have a normal blood pressure at the age of 55 have a 90% chance of developing hypertension, or high blood pressure. To prevent this, women should keep a regular physical activity by exercising and maintaining a healthy weight, reduce sodium and moderate alcohol intake.

Since many women’s care providers are OB/GYN physicians they must be concerned with the status of the patient’s heart. Cardiovascular disease must be addressed given that heart disease is the number 1 killer of women and number 3 is the stroke.

A heart-healthy diet, weight control, regular physical activity, and avoidance of smoking are important for heart health throughout life. Young women should engage in healthy lifestyle habits so that risk factors are prevented. The adverse lipid changes that occur with menopause and the increase in other risk factors related to the aging process, as shown by this study, are not inevitable and certainly may be prevented with lifelong prevention efforts.

To access the full article click here.

1

To get started, leave us your information and we will contact you to find out exactly how we can help. We order the initial labs you’ll need for your first visit and we’ll schedule the appointment with your new BodyLogicMD physician. Before your visit you’ll spend time on our website completing a thorough questionnaire in the convenience of your home.

 

2

At your hour-long initial consultation, your BodyLogicMD physician will meet with you personally to discuss your symptoms, review your results and talk through the appropriate treatment to meet your individualized needs. Our highly experienced physicians undergo hundreds of hours of training in bioidentical hormones and have helped thousands of women and men suffering the symptoms of hormone imbalance.

 

3

Finally, if necessary, your BodyLogicMD physician will prescribe the customized compounded bioidentical hormones and other pharmacy-grade supplements for your personalized program. The compounding pharmacy will contact you and send these directly to your home or office as you request.