--- title: "Postmenopausal Heart Health: What to Expect" date: 2024-12-06T20:53:00-05:00 author: Jonese Austin canonical_url: "https://ourbodiesourselves.org/health-info/postmenopausal-heart-health-what-to-expect" section: Resources --- [Donate](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/donate) [Health & Sexuality Info](/health-info)# Postmenopausal Heart Health: What to Expect This article by Anna Jones, for the University of Alabama at Birmingham newspaper, discusses how menopausal changes can increase heart disease risk and how we can minimize those risks. Jones describes how different lifestyle choices can affect our health and provides helpful tips and resources for maintaining heart health after menopause. Ways we can maintain our heart health include: - Giving up smoking - Getting regular health checkups - Learning about our family history - Being conscious of our diet - Participating in physical activity regularly > While menopause does not directly cause cardiovascular diseases, certain changes that occur in the body during menopause can impact heart health. Beyond the shift in hormones, blood pressure, “bad” cholesterol and triglycerides — a type of fat that circulates in the blood, can all increase following menopause. Note: This resource references the BMI index, which has no predictive or descriptive value when it comes to an individual’s health. [Read the full article ](https://www.uab.edu/news/health/item/13439-postmenopausal-heart-health-what-to-expect) SOURCE: UAB (University of Alabama at Birmingham) News • AUTHOR: Anna Jones • LAST UPDATED: February 27, 2023 ![An older woman with short hair who appears to be South Asian and is wearing a blue shirt gets her blood pressure checked by a Black woman in a white coat. She has a stethoscope wrapped around her neck, and her hair is styled in braids.](data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAACAAAAAZCAIAAADfbbvGAAAACXBIWXMAAA7EAAAOxAGVKw4bAAADO0lEQVRIiWWWQZJjNwxDH0D5/hfJKtuca6anuy0iC0pup/JLZcuWRJAgSH399fc/kmSVXVVr1VqryqvKZVuWAJKkk053OkmTAJJsu1y17tm11qqawzZzHiEhgQCk+f55Zh3BXdL5dRcBgST9nIElCf08A6O79U4y7qJIbwbPpntK1/r5B9CSDZKFjGbyvwESAWEENDbJsW/7fGgoe4dccjFzWy5k2Vy8N94iEloWbQiKbg7GqGxprPsV2VKVQB4Ay0ZG7xjviTCAowRynLTskut1/PJhJoITjYWNi4sRKS9WEQQ1MQnJ4HocL3sUZx2MG/1S+STtrg1yhhkp/4nBEBN0kn5s6kSvS05eFKG6wlHuZ+SgSEGCXFke6UlKRrWXeb87HqRxAdb4yIH1GM3QcZyXAcLVk3L9m+TpP46/+wSsDAFRSw49tgPJ0Q5Bg/HKxOVsSu8qLaAQaFCiiLA6szMTUkaNIa2QqTOUEVATv9HFq5RDAqFP4C2bbqG1u5kUhDZOJ3Jc7pF6KRkawTqx55oPoYVDQndereYyup7PPnEatWw7ctKtsmxFqpMnIgLm1H4nlqKezGIdbtucTLO+v58XYKqmr6zVVlmRYllEqtsYD/1SRpAZBoSCFfXVnNbX1/erZx1J21WyXdaMpYPEhZk6NpJere00xtH3hIS0Pj+/uPtO06q5G1xWlZcVq6VYkdZgQETfxjtan5y9hI4IWn8+Pg+A5XlKLld5lZfd5bYGZppHadx/6/0TE4rol85FYH38/jwUWaq5m+zyWt5Vu7zLbaX8AsgPwOkiuaPvmDmwfv/6o9N25XNtulat5bXqUe5VKWcrHgwGw7cKQoAOTRo6bDIYCevj15/TU8oue6w/aq16PKpXpTtlyljc66hFHWIgCXTSyYadHIyQiQDx4/6j6lFr1+OxujvddLNKPQAeamp60wXoO3byTAZjAro5KLmqHq691q7dq5NM35/RUx09d2rA0zby87qx+wfghbE+P74Qsr127ap5KRHoUFKiYJNNduwp3JPbHIDuTnbnmX72AdhJw/r+eiKp2qmGTOstubx3b/cu7Va3Wmm6UR91RgPQA3Fgunu/BfEvykcKJWR70SMAAAAASUVORK5CYII=) Malik E/peopleimages.com/Adobe Stock ![](/assets/img/monogram.webp)Topics - [ heart health](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/subject-area/heart-health) - [ menopause & perimenopause](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/subject-area/menopause-perimenopause) - [ perimenopause, menopause & heart health](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/themes/perimenopause-menopause-heart-health) - [ taking care of our hearts](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/themes/taking-care-of-our-hearts) - [heart disease risk factors](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/tags/heart-disease-risk-factors) - [heart disease](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/tags/heart-disease) - [cardiovascular risk](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/tags/cardiovascular-risk) ![](/assets/img/monogram.webp)### *Why You Can* **Trust Us** - We rigorously evaluate all content - We embrace a reproductive justice framework - We don’t accept ads or sell products - We reject funding from the pharmaceutical industry - We counter misinformation and disinformation - We address the social, political, and economic factors that affect health and sexuality [read more](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/why-you-can-trust-us) Share [](javascript:void();)[](javascript:void();)[](javascript:void();)[](javascript:void();) ##### More to Explore [ResourcesListen ## How to Prevent Heart Disease After Menopause This episode of the Ridgecrest Regional Hospital Podcast discusses the links between menopause and heart health, including lifestyles changes to consider. ![national-cancer-institute-DK--4VWK1tw-unsplash](data:image/png;base64,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) This episode of the Ridgecrest Regional Hospital Podcast discusses the links between menopause and heart health, including lifestyles changes to consider.](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/health-info/how-to-prevent-heart-disease-after-menopause) [ResourcesRead ## Menopause and Cardiovascular Risk Starting menopause before age 40 increases the risk of future coronary heart disease ![Leighann blackwood G fj Dm Sb e4 unsplash scaled jpg](data:image/png;base64,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) Starting menopause before age 40 increases the risk of future coronary heart disease](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/health-info/menopause-and-cardiovascular-risk) [Stories & ConversationsWatch ## Dealing with Doctors and My Heart Health TC shares her experience with doctors in the days leading up to and after her diagnosis of congestive heart failure. ![Tannie](data:image/png;base64,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) TC shares her experience with doctors in the days leading up to and after her diagnosis of congestive heart failure.](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/stories-conversations/your-story-heart-health1) [Stories & ConversationsRead ## Living with Congestive Heart Failure TC shares how she felt immediately after being diagnosed with congestive heart failure. ![Alexandru-Acea-unsplash](data:image/png;base64,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) TC shares how she felt immediately after being diagnosed with congestive heart failure.](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/stories-conversations/my-story-living-with-congestive-heart-failure) [Stories & ConversationsWatch ## Interacting with My Cardiologist TC discusses her relationship with the cardiologist she was assigned after being diagnosed with congestive heart failure. ![Tannie](data:image/png;base64,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) TC discusses her relationship with the cardiologist she was assigned after being diagnosed with congestive heart failure.](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/stories-conversations/your-story-heart-health3) [ResourcesRead ## A Toolbox for Coping with Anxiety amid Heart Failure Our Bodies Ourselves content expert Maggie Teliska offers tools to cope with anxiety, from the perspective of a heart failure patient. ![lenin-estrada-GCpyNh39kOc-1024x683](data:image/png;base64,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) Our Bodies Ourselves content expert Maggie Teliska offers tools to cope with anxiety, from the perspective of a heart failure patient.](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/health-info/a-toolbox-for-coping-with-anxiety-amid-heart-failure) [ResourcesRead ## An Overview of Atrial Fibrillation A brief, gender-neutral overview of what happens to the body during atrial fibrillation, including causes, symptoms, interventions, and treatments. ![Atrial_Fibrillation](data:image/png;base64,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) A brief, gender-neutral overview of what happens to the body during atrial fibrillation, including causes, symptoms, interventions, and treatments.](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/health-info/an-overview-of-atrial-fibrillation) [ResourcesRead ## What a Family History of Heart Disease Means for Your Health Cardiologist Christine Jellis discusses heart conditions that can run in our families and what we can do to take control of our heart health. ![A white table with a family history form, a stethoscope, and a paper cutout of a family around a heart](data:image/png;base64,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) Cardiologist Christine Jellis discusses heart conditions that can run in our families and what we can do to take control of our heart health.](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/health-info/what-a-family-history-of-heart-disease-means-for-your-health)