Cardiovascular Disease in Women and the Impact of Menopause

Cardiovascular disease is a broad term that encompasses various conditions affecting the heart or blood vessels, including angina, heart attacks, and stroke. In Scotland, approximately 100,000 women are living with cardiovascular disease, making it one of the leading causes of death for women in the country. However, there is a prevailing underestimation and under-treatment of heart disease in women compared to men.

Lynne McNiven, NHS Ayrshire and Arran’s director of public health, highlighted the impact of menopause on women’s risk of cardiovascular disease. Before menopause, women generally have a lower risk, as the hormone estrogen plays a protective role by regulating cholesterol levels and reducing the narrowing of blood vessels. However, during and after menopause, the gradual reduction in estrogen production increases the risk of developing cardiovascular disease.

Certain factors further increase a woman’s risk of developing cardiovascular disease, including smoking, obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and lack of physical activity. It is crucial for women to be aware of these risk factors and to actively manage them to minimize the risk of heart attacks in the future.

Adopting a healthy lifestyle can significantly reduce the severity of menopausal symptoms and promote heart health. This includes maintaining a balanced diet, engaging in regular exercise, prioritizing sufficient sleep, and managing stress levels.

To raise awareness of the impact of changing hormones and menopause on heart health, NHS Ayrshire and Arran has collaborated with KA Leisure as part of World Menopause Month activities. The initiative offers menopause health advice and provides free health checks, including blood pressure, cholesterol, glucose, and body composition tests.

The KA Leisure Activator vehicle will be stationed at various Ayrshire venues throughout October, offering their services. This includes Morrisons in Kilmarnock on October 9, ASDA in Irvine on October 23, and ASDA in Ayr on October 30.

For more information on menopause, the NHS inform website and NHS Ayrshire and Arran’s Sexual Health service website can provide valuable resources.