October is Menopause Awareness Month so we’re kicking off the month with this repost of a deep dive GRUFFtalk host Barbara Hannah Grufferman took with Dr. Margaret Nachtigall about how menopause changes your heart.  

1 in 9 perimenopausal women in the 45-64 age group will develop heart disease. That’s a scary thought and one that may leave you wondering what you need to know about menopause and heart health. Most women are unprepared for the impact menopause has on their hearts. GRUFFtalk host Barbara Hannah Grufferman was one of them. She developed a non-life-threatening heart issue but vowed to never let heart disease be the cause of her premature demise. She ramped up her workouts and reassessed how she was managing stress, eating, and sleeping, al of which she shares in this episode.  

The guest is Dr. Margaret Nachtigall who talks through the importance of heart health and its relation to menopause. She talks with Barbara about modifying risk factors, as well as keeping an open mind about talking your healthcare provider to see if estrogen is right for you. 

Dr. Nachtigall is a board-certified Reproductive Endocrinologist at NYU Langone Health. She is also the Medical Director of Menopause Cheat Sheet, a free newsletter she and Barbara publish together to help women navigate life before, during and after menopausal changes. 

Modify Your Risk Factors  

Although cardiovascular disease is a serious problem, there are actions we can take that are within your control. You can choose to eat healthier and get plenty of sleep. Exercise is also important to maintain a healthy heart. Dr. Nachtigall’s favorites are not smoking or drinking too much. One of the most important actions, which is often forgotten, is managing stress. 

“… My point is, estrogen is not right for everyone, but it is right for many individuals.” Dr. Margaret Nachtigall 

Estrogen Isn’t the Right Choice for Everyone  

Dr. Nachtigall points out that while starting estrogen early can have health benefits, it isn’t right for everyone. It’s important to speak with your healthcare provider about what your symptoms and risk factors are to determine what’s best for you. Timing is critical if you consider starting estrogen. There are significant benefits to starting hormone therapy early on in menopause. 

Dr. Margaret Nachtigall Takeaways:  

• Try your best to reverse your risk factors 

• Eat healthy and sleep well 

• Discuss what your particular risks are for hormone therapy with your healthcare provider 

"A lot of the symptoms that we attribute to menopause may also contribute to having an increase in heart disease." -Dr. Nachtigall 

Your healthcare provider will assess your risk factors and may do some testing. Risk factors may include abnormal lipid profiles. It’s also important to look at your cholesterol breakdown (total cholesterol, HDL, LDL). Other risk factors include obesity, smoking, stress, depression, inactivity, family history, inflammatory conditions, or chronic illnesses. Remember, estrogen may not be for everyone, but can provide benefits for many individuals. 

Connect with Dr. Nachtigall  

Website: https://www.drnachtigall.com/ 

Sign up for our free monthly newsletter here:  

Menopause Cheat Sheet: http://www.menopausecheatsheet.com/ 

Connect with Barbara: 

Website: https://www.barbarahannahgrufferman.com  

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BarbaraHannahGruffermanAuthor 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/barbarahannahgrufferman/ 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/barbara-hannah-grufferman/ 

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