Why Monitoring Your Cholesterol Levels Is So Important at Menopause
There are two facts about cholesterol that mid-life women should be concerned about: the first is that too high a level of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) Cholesterol (the bad kind) in your blood stream increases your risk of heart disease; and second, a woman’s LDL cholesterol rises markedly – as much as 10 percent – during the year before and after menopause begins. In today’s “Heart Beat” column in the Wall Street Journal, reporter Ron Winslow writes about a “provocative” research study that’s exploring the connection between declining estrogen levels and rising LDL markers. The article underscores the importance of;
- Knowing your numbers when it comes to cholesterol (LDL under 100 is optimal)
- Getting enough aerobic exercise (it is a crucial weapon in responding to the impact of menopause on heart risk)
- Eating a low-saturated fat diet (high in fruits and vegetables) and,
- Monitoring your blood pressure(120/80 is ideal).
This is a good article to read and take to heart!
This is all true. I would just add that it is always important to be aware of those numbers; it’s not just a menopause issue.
It is important for women to monitor their cholesterol level during menopause because of their risk of heart disease. A healthy lifestyle and exercise will help increase the blood circulation level and ease the symptoms. It is also a good idea for women to be allowed to take natural hormone therapy like the bioidentical hormone because they are safer and effective. There are natural creams available over the internet but it is recommended to check with your healthcare provider before using it.
Thanks for your comment. Be sure to see my blogpost last month where I talked about other forms of exercise that may be even better for bone health than resistance training.
http://www.menopausetheblog.com/2009/11/16/whats-the-best-exercise-for-healthy-bones-it-may-not-be-what-you-think/
Thanks for this succinct and very useful advice. It’s important also to remember that, as well as aerobic exercise, menopausal women should do strength training exercises to build muscle tone, and weight bearing exercises for bone health. It seems that 40+ is the time of life to become more active – but once you start the exercise habit it soon turns into an important and, even better, enjoyable part of your routine – that’s been my experience.
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