Heart Health After Menopause
Maintaining good heart health is important at any age, but it's vital for women who’ve gone through menopause. After menopause, a woman’s cardiovascular risk is higher than it was in their pre-menopausal years.
Because many women in the U.S. are living longer, a significant portion of women will spend up to 40% of their lives postmenopausal, making it even more important to focus on heart and brain health as early as possible.
5 Things You Can Do to Maintain Heart Health After Menopause:
- Get screened - Women should continue to have regular checkups with their health care professional, and regular heart health screenings are important to maintaining a healthy heart.
The American Heart Association recommends getting your :- Cholesterol checked every five years.
- Blood pressure checked at least every two years.
- Blood glucose levels checked every three years.
- Waist circumference checked as needed.
- Body mass index checked during every regular health care visit.
- Exercise regularly - Women should aim for at least 150 minutes of physical activity per week to help lower their risk of heart disease.
- Eat a healthy diet - Healthier eating translates into efficient heart function and overall well-being. Learn how to eat healthy without dieting.
- Focus on your mental well-being - Depression is linked to almost double the risk of stroke in middle-aged women. If you've been feeling down, depressed or hopeless, or have lost interest or pleasure in things you do, talk to your health care team right away.
- Find support - If you’re looking for support, join the #GoRedGetFit Facebook group. #GoRedGetFit is a community of survivors dedicated to supporting each other while making healthy choices.
Talk to your health care team about your family history, risk factors and what you can do to prevent heart disease and stroke after menopause.
