Heart & Cardiovascular Health

Common Issues

• Rising blood pressure

  After menopause, many women develop higher blood pressure (hypertension) due to hormonal changes, decreased vascular flexibility, and shifts in metabolism, which raises the strain on the heart and arteries and increases long-term cardiovascular risk.

• Higher cholesterol

  Post-menopause, LDL ("bad") cholesterol often rises and HDL ("good") cholesterol can fall as estrogen declines, making harmful plaque buildup in arteries more likely and elevating the risk of coronary artery disease.

• Reduced cardiovascular fitness

  Aging combined with lower estrogen levels tends to reduce aerobic capacity and endurance, so activities that were once easy may feel harder, which can further contribute to heart disease risk if physical activity decreases.

Major Concerns

• Heart disease becoming a leading risk

  Heart disease is the leading cause of death in women, and the risk increases sharply after menopause because estrogen's protective effects on blood vessels and cholesterol diminish, making conditions like coronary artery disease and heart attacks more common.

• Symptoms in women being less obvious

  Women often experience subtler or non-typical heart attack and heart disease symptoms — such as fatigue, shortness of breath, nausea, or jaw or back discomfort — that can be mistaken for less serious issues, leading to delayed recognition and treatment.

• Preventive care gaps

  Despite the rising cardiovascular risk during midlife, many women aren't screened or treated as aggressively as they could be, partly because heart disease has historically been viewed as a "man's disease," resulting in missed opportunities for early intervention and tailored prevention.

Topics We'll Explore

Our evidence-based articles and resources will explore these important topics to support your informed decision-making: