Hot flashes, night sweats, unexplained fatigue. Most women recognize these as signs of menopause, but they might be surprised to learn that these ailments could also be signs of heart disease—the Number 1 killer of women.
“It’s important to understand that menopause doesn’t cause heart disease, but the risk certainly increases at this stage of life,” notes Dr. Shalini Bobra, a cardiologist with White Plains Hospital. “To further complicate matters, some common symptoms of a heart problem could mimic what we tend to think of as menopausal symptoms.”
Before menopause, the risk of heart disease is low in women since estrogen keeps blood vessels flexible and adaptable to blood flow. When estrogen levels decline due to menopause, the blood vessels lose some of that resilience, upping the risk of arteriosclerosis, a clogging of the blood vessels.
According to the American Heart Association, menopause-related hot flashes and night sweats “have been linked to a greater risk for high blood pressure and other cardiovascular risk factors. Research also shows depression during the menopause transition is strongly linked to higher cardiovascular disease risk.”
Get a Symptom Check
If you’re around the age of menopause (40-55, with the average being 51) and have been noticing the following signs, take pause and consider consulting with a Cardiologist or Internal Medicine specialist:
- Fatigue. It’s natural to feel more tired as you age, and it’s a common menopausal complaint. But beware if simple activities like carrying the laundry upstairs or walking out to the mailbox have suddenly become difficult.
- Sweating. Three-quarters of all women experience hot flashes during menopause, but if accompanied by shortness of breath or chest pain, without undue exertion.
- Chest Pain. While chest pain alone isn’t necessarily a menopause symptom, it’s worth mentioning that it is the most commonly ignored symptom by women: chest pain isn’t always obvious, and could manifest as simple discomfort, pressure, or a feeling that something isn’t right.
“The good news is that despite this long list of risk factors, 80 percent of cardiac events can be prevented with small, simple daily changes,” says Dr. Bobra. “First and foremost: quit smoking. Another simple step is to just move 30 minutes a day. Adopting a Mediterranean-style diet focusing on greens and grains, legumes, and lots of fiber has also proven to benefit the heart.”
Are you at risk for heart disease? Take this assessment to find out if you should be screened.
Dr. Shalini Bobra is a cardiologist with White Plains Hospital Physician Associates, seeing patients at 99 Business Park Drive in Armonk. To make an appointment, call 914-849-7900.