Menopause is an important event in a woman’s life.  When entering this stage, the hormonal cascades that regulate the female menstrual cycle fall and cease to have the same impact on the biophysical state. It is at this time when defense mechanisms and self-regulation of cardiovascular health cease to have an effect, which is why it is very important to acquire healthy lifestyle habits, explains Dr. Felipe Anhuamán, a cardiologist at the Centro Médico Plaza Lima Sur of Clinica Ricardo Palma, who gives us further guidance on this subject.

Mechanisms of cardiovascular risk progression in the menopausal stage.

It is common for women with blood pressure within the range or with a tendency to low blood pressure to begin to present hypertensive events, especially if they have a family history of high blood pressure. Atherosclerosis or accumulation of fat, bad cholesterol, and other substances in the walls of the arteries is another common condition at this stage, especially among patients with untreated hypercholesterolemia. Both conditions, associated with changes in the female body, increase cardiovascular risk.

Tips for maintaining good heart health during menopause

1. Perform recreational and/or competitive physical activity 2 to 3 times per week for sessions longer than 30 minutes.
2. Maintain an adequate weight with special emphasis on the percentage of muscle and fat tissue.
3. Have a balanced carbohydrate intake, consuming vegetables and fruits more frequently. Follow a diet low in fats and sweets, in addition to reducing salt intake.
4. Have a complete check-up to identify and/or control previous or debut diseases such as diabetes and respiratory diseases, among others.
5. Screen for family diseases and identify cardiovascular risk, which is unique to each human being.
6. Maintain a positive attitude.
7. Avoid self-medication.

Remember:

Having a complete annual cardiology checkup is key to identify early any condition that increases the possibility of suffering heart disease, because if not treated promptly, in the long term, it can lead to high-impact complications, such as acute myocardial infarction, major strokes, or even put your life at risk.

Dr. Felipe Anhuamán
Cardiologist at the Centro Médico Plaza Lima Sur of Clinica Ricardo Palma