Anyone who knows me is aware I don’t use the term “old” it’s just not in my vocabulary! But as we “progress in years” unfortunately we can develop health conditions.

Cardio-vascular disease (CVD) is a disease most of us will develop. This is a disease of our blood vessels, organs and our blood. Genetics, lifestyle, diet, physical and mental health and luck all increase or reduce our risks of developing it.

The British Heart Foundation (www.bhf.or.uk) state that coronary heart disease kills twice as many women as Breast Cancer. That survival rates for women are lower than for men. But why?

• Often symptoms of heart attack and disease aren’t recognised.

• Women are more likely to be wrongly diagnosed as having acid reflux, muscular strain or the symptoms being caused by “stress”.

Throughout my years of working in the Emergency Department (ED) I often saw men in their 40’s being rushed into ED with a suspected heart attack (we call it Myocardial Infarction or MI) but I rarely saw 40 year old women. And why? Because Oestrogen protects our blood vessels and helps prevents CVD.

Worryingly I did see 60-70 year old women having MI and strokes. There would be many causes but lack of Oestrogen in post-menopausal women would be a major factor.

Post Menopausal women have greater risks of CV disease.

Yet I speak to many women who are afraid of getting breast cancer and therefore won’t take HRT. I hear health professionals have warned ladies if they take HRT they significantly increase their risks of getting breast cancer. Even now there remains a lot of mis information and myths which prevents women taking or being prescribed HRT.

We literally have years of research demonstrating the effectiveness of HRT. For most women are the risks of developing breast cancer remain low, yet the risks of developing heart disease remain high!

Any disease of your Cardiovascular system can result in • multi organ disease • blindness • some types of dementia • poor skin healing, • high blood pressure • heart attacks or MI • strokes…plus much more.

What can we do to reduce our risks of developing CVD as we go through the menopause?

HRT can reduce our risks of developing CVD.

Benefits of HRT

Oestrogen and some progesterone’s have a positive effect on our blood vessels;

• Dilates and relaxes our blood vessels

• Helps reduce blood pressure

• Reduces build of artheroma (fatty deposits) within our blood vessels

• Helps artheroma adhere to our blood vessels and not travel around our circulation which could lead to blockages; heart attacks and strokes.

HRT started before the age of 60 or within 10 years of the menopause means that your natural levels of Oestrogen are still quite high but as you get closer to that 10 year without a period your levels fall and therefore the benefits of Oestrogen have gone. This is what leads to post-menopausal women having CVD. Having HRT within 10 years of the menopause is called the “window of opportunity”. But you can still have HRT if you are over 60. However; it won’t be as beneficial in protecting your heart. After a full medical assessment, I often prescribe HRT to women over 60.

If you have a personal or family history of CVD and are wondering if HRT may help you, why not get in touch?

If you have been advised to stop HRT for health reasons or told you can’t have or to stop HRT; let me advise you. Often women can continue HRT so let us decide together.

Preventing CVD with exercise, reducing alcohol, stopping smoking, eating a Mediterranean style diet, positive mental health, medications and of course HRT can all help us live a long and healthy life.

Always discuss health concerns with your healthcare provider but for any midlife/menopause/HRT advice please book an appointment www.bourne2care.co.uk

Best Wishes Diane.