Menopause Can Bring Increased Risk Of Heart Disease By Sharon Bell At Isnare.com Ezine Articles

There is a big misconception going on about heart diseases. Many people have the impression that heart attacks are exclusive to men. Well, nothing can be farther from the truth. In reality, women are also exposed to all sorts of heart problems as men. And according to statistics, about 50% of deaths in women who are past the age of fifty are caused by heart ailments. That makes heart attacks more deadly than any form of cancer in women!

What many women fail to realize is that the risk of heart diseases increases as they approach the menopausal stage. And here is what doctors have found out: there is a link between a woman's low level of estrogen and her susceptibility to heart diseases. Estrogen is significantly reduced in women who are menopausal and those who have undergone surgical menopause.

In general, adopting a healthy way of living is a big leap towards avoiding heart problems. As menopausal women are more at risk of having cardiovascular complications, the following lifestyle changes can greatly reduce your chances of becoming a victim of a heart attack even if you have low levels of estrogen.

Stop Smoking

Smoking is one of the surest ways of acquiring heart diseases. Studies have repeatedly shown that people who smoke tobacco have a double risk of having heart attacks. To make matters worse, the danger posed by smoking tobacco does not stop at the smoker's body. Second hand smoke exposes even non-smokers to an increased risk of having heart problems. So, if you want to spare yourself from heart complications when you reach menopausal stage, you must make it a point to quit smoking and avoid people who smoke.

Exercise To Your Heart's Content

Your heart is basically a muscle. And as a muscle, it needs enough exercise for it to have increased stamina and strength. So for a stronger heart, you need to work it out, which is different from overworking it by being overweight.

An active lifestyle is a key to improving the pumping mechanism of your heart. You do not need to spend on gym memberships. All you have to do is incorporate regular exercise like brisk walking and increase your movements. Experts agree that exercise can help in eliminating stress, reducing weight and the risk of hypertension among other things which can be totally helpful for your heart.

Maintain Your Ideal Weight

Everybody has a different level of ideal weight. A person's height, age, race, and gender play important roles in determining the right weight. Knowing your ideal weight and keeping to it is definitely important if you want to prevent heart complications from happening to you as you approach your menopause years.

Your heart's main job is to pump blood and ensure that there is enough blood circulation in your body. However, if you weigh more than your ideal levels, your heart will find it more difficult to pump nutrient-rich blood into the different organs of your body. As your heart becomes too overworked, it becomes more prone to complications. Scientists have always linked being overweight to an increased risk of heart problems.

Watch The Food You Eat

Health begins with the food that you eat. If you want to protect your heart from ailments later on in your life, all you need to do is follow a diet that is low in bad cholesterol and saturated fat. Instead, make it a habit to include foods that are rich in fiber and folate. Whole grains, soy products, fruits, vegetables and fish are good stuff for your heart.

Truly, menopause can expose you to problems like heart diseases. The imbalances in your hormones due to menopause can lead to all sorts of complications in your body. Good thing there are products like Zalestra which can help your body cope up with the changes brought about by menopause. Visit www.Zalestra.com for more information about dealing with your struggles during menopause.

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