Menopause and Your Risk for a Heart Attack

Hot flashes raise my heart rate (20+ per day). When I get nauseous and throw up, it raises my heart rate (2-3 times per day).

My chest gets pains but what are they from? Stress, gas, pinched nerves. Or is it more serious?

I have already had 2 heart surgeries in my life, one for SVT in 2006, (consistent, elevated heart rate over 180 beats per minute), the other was a patent ductus when I was 3.

Also, I’m on cholesterol meds and baby aspirin daily to prevent this heart attack or stroke that may or may not happen.

I don’t relish the thought of a heart attack.

So, I saw a cardiologist. He, yes, HE...did a few tests and told me I was fine. But did he listen to me, consider my menopause, and do the right tests?

High cholesterol runs on the women’s side of my family. Of course, the women above me did not tell me this until I told them I was on meds for it. I could have prepared. Women should prepare to avoid a heart attack from the day they get their first period.

Eating healthy and exercising has been a part of my life forever, but maybe I could have done better. Still could, I guess. But that would mean giving up my less than 1 ounce of dark chocolate a day, the 1 mini ice cream drumstick I occasionally indulge in, my 8 ounces (+/- 4 ounces, depending on the day) Irish Cream at night to help me get to sleep and then hopefully sleep through the hot flashes and my semi-monthly indulgence in Haagen Daz Peanut Butter and Chocolate ice cream. I do not drink soda or coffee or eat a lot of snacks like chips and cookies. Typically, I will always choose fruit. Yes, I keep an eye on all of it.

Most of what I consume has no added sugar. But that’s just the last 10 years or so. Before that I paid no attention whatsoever.

When GMO’s, being Organic, and adding less sugar became a thing to stay healthy, I jumped on board. I, like most of you, had no clue our supermarkets stocked such nasty, nasty products with so many chemicals, added sugar and salt...poisons.

I will, one day, post my meal routine. (Don’t expect it soon. It is not something high on my To Do list.)

Only about 5%, maybe 10% of what I eat is processed. I stay away as much as I can.

I have removed most red meat, most of the time, but the craving builds up and I may go from having red meat once a week to 4 times in a week with leftovers. That may happen once every couple of months.  I don’t eat enough fish but that is because my menopause makes the smell so extreme it makes me nauseous. So I can only eat some fish. Salmon is absolutely out. I would eat more turkey, but on the Islands, you only see whole turkey or turkey breast once a year...seriously. Chicken is a staple in the house.

When we go out, I’ll have a drink with dinner or one if we shoot pool. If we go to a show, I have a few drinks but then stop for a while.

I drink my 80 ounces of water a day as well. Every single day.

I am still allowed to have some fun right? Menopause has taken a lot of the fun out of my life as my menopause symptoms are off the charts and it limits what I can do comfortably.

The beach is great though. Get cold, get in the sun. Have a hot flash? Jump in the water. Easy peasy.

But back to menopause, women, and heart attacks....

Here is what I put in my Google Search Engine:

menopause related heart attacks in women

Here is what I found from the British Heart Foundation: Link here: https://www.bhf.org.uk/informationsupport/support/women-with-a-heart-condition/menopause-and-heart-disease

“Before the menopause, women in general have a lower risk of being affected by coronary heart disease. But after the menopause, your risk increases.

If your oestrogen levels fall, then fat can build up in your arteries causing them to become narrower. This increases your risk of developing coronary heart disease, a heart attack or stroke. The menopause can also cause changes in your body that increase your risk of coronary heart disease.”

How does the menopause affect your risk of developing cardiovascular disease?

The menopause is when you stop having periods and can’t get pregnant naturally. It usually happens between 45 and 55 but can happen earlier (early menopause) or later.

Your periods stop because your ovaries stop producing eggs and cause the hormone levels in your body to change. The levels of oestrogen, progesterone and testosterone go down. 

Oestrogen has a protective effect on your heart. It helps to control your cholesterol levels and reduces the risk of fat building up in your arteries. It also helps keep your blood vessels healthy.

If your oestrogen levels fall, then fat can build up in your arteries causing them to become narrower. This increases your risk of developing coronary heart disease, a heart attack or stroke.

The menopause can also cause changes in your body that increase your risk of coronary heart disease.

• Weight gain – many people report putting on weight during and after the menopause, especially around their waist.

• High cholesterol – after the menopause your cholesterol levels can go up, increasing your risk of heart attack and stroke.

• Your body cannot control sugar levels (glucose) as well – this can increase your risk of diabetes, high blood pressure and weight gain (metabolic syndrome).

• Your blood pressure may go up – your blood vessels may not respond as well to change, meaning your blood pressure could go up.

• Increased amount of fat around the heart – this could increase after the menopause.

Many people worry about their heart health when going through the menopause and want to know what their risk is. Your doctor can talk you through your individual risk factors. You can also take steps to manage your risk and take care of your heart health.”

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So, where does that leave my risk level of a heart attack?

AND... Where does that leave YOUR risk level for a heart attack?

How are your menopause symptoms affecting YOUR heart?

Every single one of you, reading this, and in menopause with symptoms similar to mine, should have your heart checked and your cholesterol tested. And make the doctor listen to you.

Here’s one: Write it all down and hand the doctor a note if you need to. I have. You forget what symptoms you have...write it all down. It’s not like you’ll be able to see a doctor tomorrow anyway, there is time to document your symptoms.

I am waiting for the new year to go back to a doctor as I have had nothing but issues with Doctors this year. Misdiagnosed colitis from an antibiotic for a tooth. A lower left ab pain that hasn’t left in a year that they refuse to do the correct test for. HPV on my ass that they wanted to freeze off instead of test properly as the last one was cancer. Try seeing an orthopedist. I need six different ones according to my health care provider Kaiser.