Being overweight. The pounds are
harder to shift at midlife, but maintaining
your ideal weight can reduce your risk of
heart disease by 35 percent to 55 percent.
If you have a waist circumference of 35
inches or more, you have an increased
risk of high blood pressure, diabetes, high
cholesterol, and elevated triglycerides as
well. “We emphasize waist circumference,
but, as I tell my patients, all you have to do
is strip and look in the mirror and you will
know whether or not you’re overweight,”
says Wenger. Indeed, a study published
in 2005 of 557 postmenopausal women
found that the combination of having an
enlarged waist circumference and high
levels of triglycerides was the strongest
indicator of cardiovascular risk. Another
study found that even women of normal
weight have a higher cardiac risk if they
have an enlarged waist.
Having an unhealthy diet. Aim to
reduce saturated fat and cholesterol by
eating a balanced diet. One study from
Stanford University found that a lowfat
diet containing lots of vegetables,
fruits, beans, and whole grains lowered
total and “bad” LDL cholesterol levels
more than one that didn’t. The AHA
recommends regularly eating a diet high
in fiber. Soluble fiber has been shown
to help lower blood cholesterol, and
includes foods such as oatmeal, beans,
bran, almonds, and citrus fruits.
Metabolic Syndrome:
A Cluster of Serious Risks
Metabolic syndrome isn’t really a disease itself, but a collection of
markers that, together, signify a significantly increased risk of heart
disease, stroke, and type 2 diabetes. “These characteristics tend to
cluster in midlife and older women,” says Nanette K. Wenger, M.D.,
professor of cardiology at Emory School of Medicine in Atlanta.
Are you at risk? Look for three or more of these dangerous signs:
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A waist that is 35 inches or greater
Triglyceride levels of 150 mg/dL or more
HDL cholesterol of 50 mg/dL or less
Blood pressure of 130/85 mm Hg or more
Fasting blood glucose level of 100 mg/dL or more
menopause & health
If you have three or more of these risk factors, talk to your healthcare
provider. A 2005 study of 633 heart attack patients found that nearly
half (46 percent) had metabolic syndrome. Those patients were more
likely to be women, older, and have an increased risk of heart failure.
“As the epidemic of obesity is increasing in this country, we’re going to
see more and more younger women with metabolic syndrome,” Wenger
notes. “They may even be already at risk as they approach menopause.”
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