---
title: "What to Know About Midlife Women's Heart Health"
date: 2025-07-17T11:52:00-04:00
author: Jonese Austin
canonical_url: "https://ourbodiesourselves.org/health-info/what-to-know-about-midlife-womens-heart-health"
section: Resources
---
[Donate](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/donate)

[Health & Sexuality Info](/health-info)# What to Know About Midlife Women's Heart Health

Only 40% of women know that heart disease is our number one cause of death. In this article, Dr. Emily Lau, MD, MPH, a cardiologist and Director of the Cardiometabolic Health and Hormones Clinic at Mass General Brigham, discusses how menopausal changes can affect our heart health.

During the transition to menopause, there are three main changes to our bodies which can affect our heart health. During menopause, “bad” cholesterol increases as “good” cholesterol decreases. We gain more visceral fat, which surrounds the organs. While the data on hypertension is more mixed, this can also raise our risk of heart disease.

By assessing our risks of heart disease early on, starting at age 30, we can better prepare for the changes in our bodies that will occur during menopause. Additionally, we can live a lifestyle that supports good heart health, such as doing aerobic exercises regularly and maintaining a heart-healthy diet.

> Because markers of heart health change as we go through the menopausal transition — mostly not in good ways — it feels important to be aware of what those changes are, the metrics that can help us keep track of our heart health and what actions we can take to keep our hearts healthy and reduce the risk of heart disease.

[Read the full article ](https://womenlivingbetter.org/midlife-womens-heart-health/)

SOURCE: Women Living Better • AUTHOR: Dr. Emily Lau • LAST UPDATED: March 11, 2025

![A close up of an older woman standing outside holds her hand over her chest](data:image/png;base64,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) NDABCREATIVITY/Adobe Stock

![](/assets/img/monogram.webp)Topics

- [ menopause & perimenopause](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/subject-area/menopause-perimenopause)
- [ heart health](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/subject-area/heart-health)
- [ perimenopause, menopause & heart health](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/themes/perimenopause-menopause-heart-health)
- [perimenopause](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/tags/perimenopause)
- [healthy habits](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/tags/healthy-habits)
- [cardiovascular risk](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/tags/cardiovascular-risk)
- [high blood pressure](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/tags/high-blood-pressure)

![](/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

[ResourcesRead

## Caring for Heart Health during Menopause

This article discusses concrete ways we can make a plan to protect our heart health, including how to calculate our risk and recognize the often different signs of heart disease in women during menopause.

![A white woman with short gray hair sits on a couch with her hand on her chest as though having chest pains](data:image/png;base64,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)

This article discusses concrete ways we can make a plan to protect our heart health, including how to calculate our risk and recognize the often different signs of heart disease in women during menopause.](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/health-info/caring-for-heart-health-during-menopause)

[ResourcesRead

## Menopause and Heart Disease Risk

As we age, menopause affects our risk for heart disease in various ways. This article from the American Heart Association explains how.

![A Black woman doctor sits with her patient, reviewing medical results on a tablet](data:image/png;base64,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)

As we age, menopause affects our risk for heart disease in various ways. This article from the American Heart Association explains how.](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/health-info/menopause-and-heart-disease-risk)

[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)

[ResourcesRead

## Five Tips to Handle Holiday Stress

Top five tips from the American Heart Association to help you manage holiday stress and maintain your heart health.

![pexels-askar-abayev-6192017](data:image/png;base64,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)

Top five tips from the American Heart Association to help you manage holiday stress and maintain your heart health.](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/health-info/5-tips-to-handle-holiday-stress)

[Stories & ConversationsRead

## Sharing What I Learned about Perimenopause

Nina shares how her experience with perimenopause led her to co-found Women Living Better, a resource that demystifies the menopause transition.

![Nina_Coslov](data:image/png;base64,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)

Nina shares how her experience with perimenopause led her to co-found Women Living Better, a resource that demystifies the menopause transition.](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/stories-conversations/my-story-the-very-early-perimenopause)

[Stories & ConversationsWatch

## Coping with Perimenopause

JF discusses her perimenopause symptoms. She explains her difficulty with the healthcare system and finding a perimenopause specialist.

![My Story- Coping with Perimenopause](data:image/png;base64,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)

JF discusses her perimenopause symptoms. She explains her difficulty with the healthcare system and finding a perimenopause specialist.](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/stories-conversations/my-story-coping-with-perimenopause)

[Stories & ConversationsWatch

## Recognizing My Symptoms of Perimenopause on My Own

JF shares the difficulties of living with perimenopause, a condition for which there is little research and no consensus on symptoms.

![My Story- Recognizing My Symptoms of Perimenopause on My Own](data:image/png;base64,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)

JF shares the difficulties of living with perimenopause, a condition for which there is little research and no consensus on symptoms.](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/stories-conversations/my-story-recognizing-my-symptoms-of-perimenopause-on-my-own)

[ResourcesRead

## The Menstrual Cycle and Women's Health

Our menstrual cycles can tell us a lot about our overall health.

![A calendar with a date circled, pads, pills, and a clock](data:image/png;base64,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)

Our menstrual cycles can tell us a lot about our overall health.](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/health-info/menstrual-cycle-womens-health)