Studies show that menopause has a direct affect on women's cholesterol levels. Unfortunately, menopause seems to affect cholesterol levels in a negative way, and this could be a problem for those who have had past problems with cholesterol.
Cholesterol
There are two aspects of cholesterol: HDL and LDL. HDL stands for high-density lipoprotein, while LDL stands for low-density lipoprotein. It is believed by doctors that HDL protects against heart disease, and LDL increases risk of heart disease.
Effects
The New England Journal of Medicine published a report of a study that found that HDL levels drop by 4 mg and LDL levels go up by 12 mg when women go through menopause.
Significance
The rise in the levels of LDL, which essentially means high cholesterol, is an important factor in the development of coronary artery disease, which is a precursor for a heart attack and other forms of heart disease.
Considerations
On average, women reach menopause at age 55 years. The New England Journal of Medicine study found that heart disease very rarely occurs in women under the age of 55. However, after age 55, women become dramatically more prone to develop heart disease. This has been attributed to the increase of LDL levels caused by menopause.
Expert Insight
Doctors now recommend that women who are entering their 50s begin to have their cholesterol levels checked regularly. On top of regular checks, women in their 50s should make an effort to change their diet so it is not high in cholesterol and should develop a sufficient exercise routine.
Tags: heart disease, cholesterol levels, England Journal, England Journal Medicine, found that, high cholesterol
