A new study suggests that risk factors associated with heart disease relates to earlier onset of menopause. A converse conclusion could be true.
Study Connects Early Menopause Onset and Heart Disease Risk Factors
The May 16th issues of the Journal of the American College of Cardiology issued a report that linked heart disease risk factors and early menopause in women. The study concluded women with higher risks of developing heart disease tend to enter menopause earlier than women with fewer risk factors.
The study has followed 695 women since 1958. All of the women were pre menopausal at the onset of the study and have since reached natural menopause. Dr. Yvonne T. van der School, from Utrecht University in the Netherlands headed the study. She reported the study's findings concluded:
Each 20-point increase in cholesterol level before menopause equated to a .14-year earlier onset of menopause.
Women that smoked at age 43 entered menopause 1.6 years earlier than their non-smoking counterparts.
Women that either had higher blood pressure or who had experienced a high level of weight loss or gain also experienced an earlier onset of menopause.
Dr. van der Schouw and her team of researchers pointed out that while the data suggests that cardiovascular risk factors do point to earlier onset of menopause, the findings may illustrate a converse relationship - the decreased hormonal levels brought on by early menopause may increase the likelihood of heart disease.
The study is yet another reason to convince women to live healthier lifestyles. We need to lower our cholesterol levels with better diets and daily exercises, quit smoking, and maintain a healthy weight. That means, if you are overweight, losing a pound or two a month on an on-going basis is much more healthy for you than going on a crash diet.
I can attest to this - as the daughter of two parents with heart disease, I found myself an overweight caregiver three years ago. Knowing I needed to take care of myself first, I joined a gym and started thinking of food as fuel. I've lost 30 something pounds in three years (please note that is
less than a pound a month), lowered my blood pressure and cholesterol levels, and am very happy with my health statistics today. I'm stronger and better able to care for my parents in their old age.
In my opinion, this study is simply another demonstration of how we should all strive to live healthier lifestyles. It's nothing new but is something we should remind ourselves everyday - healthier living = longer quality of life time on this earth.
Enough said. Get living healthier!
