Menopause Matters: Kate Wells
In this piece we look at hormones and heart health for women over 50.
Hormones are often known as the messengers of the body, carrying signals to various organs and tissues to regulate different physiological processes. Among their many functions, hormones play an essential role in cardiovascular health.
The cardiovascular system, which includes the heart and blood vessels, is responsible for circulating blood, nutrients, and oxygen throughout the body. Hormonal balance impacts the heart’s ability to function effectively, and disruptions in this balance can have serious consequences for cardiovascular health. Women are particularly affected by the loss of hormones during and after menopause.
First – What Do We Mean By The Term Cardiovascular Health?
- Hypertension/high blood pressure. Blood pumps around our bodies at a certain pressure which can be too high, or too low, and we want it – like Goldilocks porridge – just right! High blood pressure pushes blood against the walls of the arteries too hard and can cause damage to the inside of the blood vessels.
- Atherosclerosis and plaque buildup is a narrowing of the arteries leading to restricted blood flow and higher chances of heart disease.
- Congestive Heart Failure is a situation where the heart cannot effectively fill with blood and pump it out through the heart and the body.
- Blood clots. When the arteries are damaged, they repair themselves and this can result in scarring on the inside of the blood vessel. Scars can slow blood flow through the vessels leading to an increased risk of clots. Clots can travel to the heart where they cause a heart attack, and to the brain where they cause a stroke.
- Arrhythmias and Heart Rate changes can occur when the electrical signals controlling the heart are not functioning properly.
“Women are particularly affected by the loss of hormones during and after menopause.”
While heart function itself is critical, all the 60,000 miles of blood vessels in the average human body (yes, you read that right) all play a critical role in overall cardiovascular health. Sleep, exercise, eating heart healthy foods are critical, however this article looks at another big factor in heart health – hormones.
Key Hormones Affecting Cardiovascular Health:
Estrogen and Progesterone are the primary female sex hormones and have a protective effect on cardiovascular health. They help to regulate cholesterol levels, reduce the buildup of arterial plaque, and improve blood flow. This is one reason why premenopausal women generally have a lower risk of cardiovascular diseases compared to men of the same age. However, as women age and estrogen and progesterone levels decline during menopause, their risk of cardiovascular disease increases significantly.
Testosterone is known for its role in muscle development and overall vitality and plays a role in libido, bone density, and cognition. However, it also has cardiovascular implications. Adequate testosterone levels contribute to healthy cholesterol levels, blood flow, and the maintenance of lean body mass, which can positively impact heart health.
When we have a lot of muscle mass, it is easier for blood to flow all through our bodies because all the muscles help return blood to the heart. When there is a greater amount of fat tissue in relation to muscle mass, blood tends to move more slowly around the body, and this can increase the risk of plaque development and clotting.
Insulin Resistance:
Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas and is integral to regulating blood sugar levels. When functioning properly, insulin helps glucose enter cells where it makes ATP for energy. Insulin also ensures that excess sugar is stored in the liver. However, when insulin resistance occurs, often due to obesity or lifestyle choices, it can lead to elevated blood glucose levels. High blood sugar (glucose) can damage blood vessels, increasing the risk of cardiovascular diseases such as atherosclerosis, heart attack, and stroke.
Insulin also influences how fat is burned to create energy. Dysregulated insulin can result in excessive fat accumulation and too much fat tissue can lead to the accumulation of cholesterol in the arteries, contributing to heart disease.
Thyroid Hormones:
There are a number of different hormones made by the thyroid gland. These hormones are involved in regulating metabolism, including the speed of the heart rate, the strength of heart contractions, and blood flow through the heart and around the body.
An imbalance in thyroid hormones, either hyperthyroidism (too much thyroid hormone) or hypothyroidism (too little thyroid hormone)—can disrupt cardiovascular function. Hyperthyroidism can cause an increased heart rate, high blood pressure, and arrhythmias, while hypothyroidism is often associated with high cholesterol levels, a slower heart rate, and an increased risk of heart disease.
Cortisol is often known as the “stress hormone.” Cortisol is made in the adrenal glands in response to stress. It is a hormone crucial to survival and evolved hundreds of thousands of years ago when humans lived in caves and on the plains and there were large predators who would happily snack on a stay human. Cortisol plays a role in regulating metabolism, the immune response, and blood pressure.
If a large predator (or waring tribal member) was too close – the body needed to sense danger, ramp up blood pressure to pump blood to the legs to run away, and activate the immune system in case of injury. The stress response is designed to settle down after a near miss, the body needs a reset time to get cortisol and other stress hormones back on a regular pattern. However, modern life can often lead to persistently high levels of cortisol which can result in high blood pressure, inflammation, and an increased risk of cardiovascular disease.
“Metabolism relies on the presence of cortisol so when cortisol levels are low the metabolic rate slows. “
Supply Of Cortisol:
Over time, the adrenal glands’ ability to pump out a constant supply of cortisol is diminished. Cortisol levels are no longer high, but they swing in the other direction – too low. Without adequate cortisol the immune system falters and colds and infections are more common; inflammation increases, and this can impact the health and function of blood vessels and the heart.
Metabolism relies on the presence of cortisol so when cortisol levels are low the metabolic rate slows. When the metabolic rate is slow, people can run out of energy to do even simple tasks, let alone run a household and work. As a coping mechanism, it’s easy to reach for sugary food and drinks to get the quick boost of energy – and these lead to more weight gain.
How Hormonal Imbalance Affects Cardiovascular Health:
Hypertension:
Many hormones, including cortisol and insulin, are linked to the regulation of blood pressure. When any of these hormones become unbalanced, hypertension can develop. Over time, high blood pressure puts strain on the arteries and the heart, increasing the risk of heart attack, stroke, and heart failure.
Atherosclerosis And Plaque Buildup:
Hormones such as estrogen and testosterone play protective roles in maintaining healthy blood vessels and preventing the buildup of plaque. Without sufficient levels of these hormones, the risk of atherosclerosis increases, leading to restricted blood flow and higher chances of heart disease.
Arrhythmias And Heart Rate:
Thyroid hormones, cortisol, and estrogen help regulate the heart’s rhythm. An imbalance in these hormones can lead to arrhythmias (irregular heartbeats), which may impair the heart’s ability to pump blood efficiently.
Heart Failure:
Hormones like peptides and aldosterone help regulate blood volume and fluid balance, both of which are essential for optimal heart function. Disruptions in these hormones can contribute to fluid retention and an overworked heart, ultimately leading to heart failure.
Bioidentical Hormones Vs Pharmaceutical Hormones:
Bioidentical hormones have NOT been shown to increase risk for cardiovascular disease whereas many of the pharmaceutical hormones – especially progestins (not progesterone), have been shown to increase risk for blood clots. Practitioners still confuse the two categories of hormones or don’t understand the value of bioidentical hormones. As a result – progesterone is tarred with the same brush as progestins and practitioners don’t want to use it for their patients. You know better!
Hormones’ Role Is Indispensable:
Hormones play an indispensable role in maintaining cardiovascular health. From regulating blood pressure and cholesterol levels to ensuring proper heart rate and fluid balance, the balance of hormones influences every aspect of cardiovascular function. Understanding the link between hormones and heart health is essential for preventing and managing cardiovascular diseases.
By maintaining a healthy lifestyle, managing stress, and monitoring hormone levels through medical guidance, individuals can help preserve the vital connection between hormones and cardiovascular health for years to come. Remember, just because you are done with reproduction – it does not mean you are done with hormones!
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About the Author:
Kate Wells is a hormone expert and true biochem nerd who has been educating practitioners about hormones for many years. Starting out as a High School science teacher, and then pivoting to the business world, Kate new she wanted to combine her passions for science and business and found the perfect match in leadership roles at labs specializing in hormone testing and hormone formulation.
She currently runs her own bioidentical hormone product companies where she writes educational articles and continues to educate practitioners on the role of hormones in optimal longevity. Beyond nerding-out on the latest research, Kate is an avid hiker, regularly putting in 20-mile hikes in the beautiful wilds of Colorado, loves to build stuff, swing dance, and work with fabric to make colorful quilts. Kate is the author of A Forecast for Health and is the CEO and co-founder of Parlor Games LLC. Kate holds a BS, MBA, and has completed a Fellowship in Herbal Medicine.
