Doctronic navigation menu Log In
Doctronic navigation menu
Contents
  • Why Heart Health Matters During Menopause
  • Essential Cardiovascular Tests
  • Advanced Cardiovascular Screening
  • When and How Often to Get Tested

Menopause and Your Heart: Key Tests to Keep Your Cardiovascular Health in Check

Menopause and Your Heart: Key Tests to Keep Your Cardiovascular Health in Check

Beyond Hot Flashes

While menopause is often associated with symptoms like hot flashes, it's also a time to pay extra attention to your heart health. Certain medical tests can help you and your doctor monitor your cardiovascular risk during this transition.
Contents
  • Why Heart Health Matters During Menopause
  • Essential Cardiovascular Tests
  • Advanced Cardiovascular Screening
  • When and How Often to Get Tested

Why Heart Health Matters During Menopause

As estrogen levels decline during menopause, the risk of heart disease increases. This is because estrogen helps keep blood vessels flexible and helps maintain healthy cholesterol levels. After menopause, women's risk of heart disease begins to catch up with men's. Regular check-ups and appropriate tests can help detect potential issues early.

Essential Cardiovascular Tests

Several tests can provide valuable information about your heart health. A lipid panel measures your cholesterol levels, including LDL ('bad') cholesterol, HDL ('good') cholesterol, and triglycerides. Blood pressure checks are crucial, as hypertension risk increases after menopause. Your doctor may also recommend tests like fasting blood glucose to check for diabetes risk, or a C-reactive protein test to measure inflammation in your body.
Menopause increases the risk of heart disease due to declining estrogen levels affecting blood vessel flexibility and cholesterol management. Regular cardiovascular tests are recommended to monitor heart health during and after menopause.

Advanced Cardiovascular Screening

For some women, more advanced tests may be recommended. These could include an electrocardiogram (ECG) to check your heart's electrical activity, or a cardiac calcium score test, which uses a CT scan to check for buildup of calcium in your coronary arteries. Your doctor might suggest a carotid ultrasound to check for plaque buildup in the arteries leading to your brain.

When and How Often to Get Tested

The frequency of these tests depends on your individual risk factors. Generally, a lipid panel and blood pressure check are recommended at least every 5 years for women over 45, but your doctor may advise more frequent testing. If you have risk factors like high blood pressure, diabetes, or a family history of heart disease, you may need more frequent or additional tests.

FAQs

Do I need a stress test?

It depends on your symptoms and risk factors.

Can these tests predict heart attacks?

They assess risk, but can't predict specific events.

Are these tests covered by insurance?

Most are, but check with your provider.

Do I need these tests if I feel healthy?

Yes, they can detect issues before symptoms appear.

Can lifestyle changes improve test results?

Yes, diet and exercise can positively impact many results.

Knowledge is Power

Regular cardiovascular testing during and after menopause can help you stay ahead of potential heart issues.
Ready to take charge of your heart health? Consult with Doctronic to create a personalized testing plan.
Additional References
  1. American Heart Association. (2021). Menopause and Heart Disease.
  2. U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. (2018). Screening for Cardiovascular Disease Risk With Electrocardiography: Recommendation Statement.
  3. El Khoudary SR, et al. (2020). Menopause Transition and Cardiovascular Disease Risk: Implications for Timing of Early Prevention: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association. Circulation.
This article has been reviewed for accuracy by one of the licensed medical doctors working for Doctronic.