Menopause news

Link between menopause and cholesterol.

27 February 2008

REPORT WARNS HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONALS TO INFORM WOMEN 45+
OF LINK BETWEEN MENOPAUSE AND CHOLESTEROL

Women should be made aware that menopause triggers raised cholesterol, which can significantly increase their risk of heart disease and stroke if left undetected.

• 76% of women do not associate the menopause with raised cholesterol levels.
• Women are nine times more likely to die of CVD than breast cancer.
• In the 10 years after the menopause, women are four times more likely to contract heart disease.

Women 45+ are being put at unnecessary risk of heart disease and stroke in
later life because they are not informed or aware that the menopause can trigger higher cholesterol levels, thereby increasing their risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). The menopause leaves women vulnerable to the metabolic changes that occur during the process, especially raised cholesterol, and increases their susceptibility to the #1 cause of death worldwide – CVD.

Dr Heather Currie, founder and MD of Menopause Matters Ltd and Associate Specialist Gynaecologist and Obstetrician at Dumfries and Galloway Royal Infirmary in Scotland commented, ‘It’s time to put the cholesterol risk to heart health on the map as heart disease is killing more women than the next five causes of death put together, breast cancer included. It is clear that routine cholesterol checks and better education are paramount in preventing unnecessary deaths from heart disease.’

The research, taken from the Check for Change Report commissioned by Flora pro.activ, is the most comprehensive study into the link between the menopause and raised cholesterol. Welcomed by H.E.A.R.T UK - The Cholesterol Charity - the report finds that only 24% of women aged over 45 associate the menopause with raised cholesterol levels. Women 45+ will experience hormonal changes, including a decline in oestrogen levels before and during the menopause. This causes their cholesterol levels to rise along with other changes in lipid levels, leaving women statistically four times more likely to contract heart disease in the 10 years after the menopause than they were before.

Fortunately, for most menopausal women, raised cholesterol levels are modifiable via simple diet and lifestyle choices, such as cutting out saturated fat, maintaining a healthy weight and by keeping active. The report indicates that 46% of women would prefer to take preventative steps as a means of reducing their cholesterol
levels, rather than wait until medication becomes necessary. However, early cardiovascular risk assessment including cholesterol testing is essential to ensure the correct advice is given and steps can be taken to guard against CVD later in life.

Dr Heather Currie, in highlighting the issue, observed ‘Importantly, among the common side effects such as hot flushes and night sweats, raised cholesterol is a symptom that menopausal women can control. Life is full
of misconceptions and it’s time to change them and save lives.”

The report forms the basis of a new campaign by Flora pro.activ to raise awareness of the link between menopause and raised cholesterol and to empower women to take control of their heart health through cardiovascular risk assessment including cholesterol testing – today.

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