Cholesterol & Menopause Study
Many women are not aware that menopause triggers changes in cholesterol. While cardiovascular disease is rare in younger women, older women are becoming increasingly at risk for heart attacks and strokes, according the the American Heart Association, which publishes guidelines for dietary and lifestyle changes that can reduce risk.
History
A study in the September 1987 "New England Journal of Medicine" found that genetic factors contributed to a rise in cholesterol after menopause. A 2009 study in the "American Journal of Epidemiology" that followed women for seven years showed fat levels peaked during early postmenopausal years. Previous studies suggested that the fall of estrogen levels was responsible for the rise in LDL (bad) cholesterol in post menopausal women.
Misconceptions
The Women's Health Initiative was a broad, 15-year study involving more than 160,000 healthy older women. Beginning in 1991, trials under the study were designed to test the effects of postmenopausal hormone therapy, diet modification, and supplements on heart disease, osteoporosis, and breast and colorectal cancer. The study found that hormone replacement therapy does not reduce and may even increase the risk of heart disease in women. Hormone replacement therapy does not reduce cholesterol levels in menopausal women.
Significance
The difference between "good" and "bad" cholesterol can be explained by understanding that high density lipoproteins (HDL) are tiny sacs that pick up cholesterol and carry it away from body tissues and out of circulation, which benefits the body.
Low density lipoproteins (LDL) are similar tiny sacs; however their function is to transport cholesterol into circulation and tissues, depositing the fatty substance along the walls of blood vessels and in body tissues. A ratio of more HDL and less LDL lowers the risk of heart disease.
Triglycerides are another type of fats related to lifestyle factors such as obesity, lack of exercise, smoking, and excess alcohol consumption. Triglycerides, included in overall cholesterol levels, should be below 150 mg/dL, or milligrams per deciliter.
According to a July 2004 article in "Atherosclerosis Journal," total blood cholesterol less than 200 mg/dL is considered low risk, up to 239 mg/dL is borderline, and cholesterol levels of 240 mg/dL and above are considered high risk for heart attack and stroke. Levels of HDL (good) cholesterol should be above 50 mg/dL and LDL (bad) cholesterol should be less than 70 mg/dL. In short, the ratio of HDL to LDL is as important as the overall cholesterol number.
Prevention/Solution
According to the American Heart Association, the best ways to lower cholesterol are to eat a high fiber diet that includes two servings of cold water fish per week; exercise; stop smoking; and drink plenty of water. Taking omega-3 fatty acid supplements, such as pollutant-free fish oils, evening primrose oil, spirulina, or flaxseed oil will raise HDL cholesterol levels. Walnuts and chia seeds are good dietary sources as well.
Foods rich in soluble and insoluble fiber that lowers cholesterol include whole grains such as oats and brown rice, and fresh vegetables and fruits. Women need to get adequate calcium (found in fish and green leafy vegetables), vitamin D and iron, and limit salty and fatty foods and alcohol.
Warning
Many women see their doctors annually for cancer-screening pap smears, mammograms, and rectal exams, but these do not take the place of regular checkups that include bloodwork. According to the Women's Health Initiative, heart disease and stroke kill almost 500,000 older women a year. Ask your doctor if cholesterol-lowering medication is appropriate.
Tags: cholesterol levels, heart disease, risk heart, older women, American Heart
