In today's fast-paced world, prioritizing cardiovascular well-being is crucial as we navigate different life stages. Cardiovascular disease remains silent until it manifests, making early intervention paramount. I would like to take a moment to shed light on the critical intersection of hormones and women's heart health, debunking misconceptions and providing actionable insights for optimal wellness.

According to the CDC, heart disease is the leading cause of death for women in the United States, accounting for about 1 in every 5 female deaths.

Raising Awareness

• Shifting Perspectives: Historically, cardiovascular disease was considered a male-centric issue, but it's the leading cause of death for women globally. While coronary heart disease is more common in older men, women become increasingly susceptible after menopause.

• Recognizing Symptoms: Women often experience heart disease differently from men, with symptoms that may be less recognized like nausea, fatigue, or jaw pain during a heart attack, leading to delayed diagnosis and treatment.

• All-age Affliction: Contrary to misconceptions, cardiovascular disease affects women of all ages, necessitating proactive measures regardless of life stage.

• Impact of Hormones: While estrogen may offer cardiovascular benefits, its decline after menopause increases heart disease risk. 

Understanding Hormones and Heart Health

Hormones play a crucial role in regulating various bodily functions, including heart function. Estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone influence heart health differently.

To understand the cardioprotective role of estrogen, let’s talk more about what it does. Estrogen receptors (ERs) are found in various tissues throughout the body, including the uterus, ovary, bone, adipose tissue, kidney, liver, and breast. These receptors play a key role in mediating the physiological effects of estrogen.

 Estrogen, primarily estradiol, promotes cardiovascular health through several pathways:

• Vascular Health: Estrogen helps maintain vascular integrity by promoting endothelial function, vasodilation, and inhibiting smooth muscle cell proliferation. The net effect is that estrogen promotes optimal blood flow.

• Lipid Metabolism: Estrogen modulates lipid profiles, increasing HDL cholesterol while reducing LDL  and triglycerides levels, thereby lowering the risk of atherosclerosis and coronary artery disease.

• Anti-inflammatory Effects: Estrogen reduces inflammation by inhibiting inflammatory cytokines and promoting anti-inflammatory pathways, which helps prevent atherosclerotic plaque formation.

• Blood Pressure Regulation: Estrogen contributes to maintaining low blood pressure levels, reducing the risk of hypertension and associated cardiovascular complications.

• Anticoagulant Effects: Estrogen promotes healthy blood clotting by balancing coagulation factors, preventing excessive clot formation, and reducing the risk of thrombotic events.

Our cardiovascular risk profile will change through our hormonal life.

Cardiovascular disease risk increases during menopause due to declining estrogen levels. Estrogen loss leads to unfavorable changes in lipid metabolism, endothelial dysfunction, increased arterial stiffness, and inflammation, contributing to higher cardiovascular risk.

During pregnancy, cardiovascular risk increases due to hemodynamic changes, including increased blood volume, cardiac output, and heart rate, placing greater demands on the cardiovascular system. Hormonal shifts, particularly increased estrogen and progesterone levels, also impact vascular function and may exacerbate any pre-existing cardiovascular conditions.

Looking Beyond Estrogen

While hormones play a significant role, lifestyle choices also affect heart health. A balanced diet, regular exercise, stress management, and adequate sleep contribute to overall cardiovascular well-being. I always prefer to address lifestyle changes as the foundation, before moving with higher level interventions.

• Balanced Diet: Consuming a variety of nutrient-rich foods, including fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats, helps maintain optimal heart health. Foods high in fiber, omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants, and potassium can lower cholesterol levels, regulate blood pressure, and reduce inflammation. Need a place to start? Look into the Mediterranean diet.

• Regular Exercise: Engaging in physical activity for at least 30 minutes most days of the week strengthens the heart and improves circulation. Exercise helps lower blood pressure, control weight, manage blood sugar levels, and reduce stress. The best blend of exercise is a combination of exercises that build strength, improve flexibility, and improve aerobic capacity.

• Stress Management: Chronic stress contributes to elevated blood pressure and increased risk of heart disease through inflammation and increased LDL levels. 

  Stress triggers the release of hormones like cortisol and adrenaline, which can raise lipid levels, including triglycerides and cholesterol, in the bloodstream.

  Prolonged stress promotes inflammation in the body, which can damage blood vessels and lead to the formation of plaques. Inflammatory processes can also affect lipid metabolism and promote the accumulation of lipids in arterial walls.

  Individuals experiencing chronic stress may adopt unhealthy coping mechanisms, such as poor dietary choices, lack of exercise, smoking, and excessive alcohol consumption. These behaviors can contribute to dyslipidemia and increase the risk of CVD.

  Stress-induced changes in the endothelium, the inner lining of blood vessels, can impair its function, leading to decreased nitric oxide production and increased susceptibility to atherosclerosis and cardiovascular events.

  Stress commonly disrupts sleep quality. Quality sleep is essential for cardiovascular health. During sleep, the body repairs and rejuvenates, supporting heart function and overall well-being. Lack of sleep increases the risk of hypertension, obesity, diabetes, and heart disease. Aim for 7-9 hours of uninterrupted sleep each night to support optimal cardiovascular health.

  Techniques such as deep breathing exercises, meditation, yoga, and mindfulness practices help reduce stress levels and promote relaxation, benefiting cardiovascular health.

Take charge of your heart health today.

Don't wait until it's too late – invest in your well-being now and enjoy a healthier, happier life. By fostering awareness, understanding hormonal influences, advocating for equitable treatment, and embracing lifestyle modifications, women can unlock the secrets to optimal heart health and thrive across all life stages.

If you are looking to reduce your cardiovascular disease risk while improving hormonal health, fill out our short application to learn what the next best steps are for you.