Heart Disease Risk and Midlife Women - #75

According to the CDC, over 60 million women (44%) in the United States are living with some form of heart disease. This is from the American Heart Assoc: more than one in three women is living with some form of cardiovascular disease. Heart disease and stroke cause 1 in 3 deaths among women each year – more than all cancers combined. According to the British Heart Association: after menopause your cholesterol levels can go up, increasing your risk of heart attack and stroke. Your body cannot control sugar levels (glucose) as well – this can increase your risk of diabetes, high blood pressure, and weight gain, which we know as metabolic syndrome.

Women have historically been studied less regarding heart disease risk, although that is changing with some very impressive women cardiologists. As women move through the menopause transition, it has been shown that as estrogen levels decline, a woman’s CVD risk may increase. Estrogen is heart protective and more is being done to educate and screen women to see if they are good candidates for MHT. But, still, so many women remain confused, and overwhelmed, by the barrage of information on the internet, the misinformation, or lack of information, provided by their doctors, and their current fear-based understanding of taking MHT and getting breast cancer. 

In this episode, we discuss standard lipid panels versus comprehensive lipid panels, including ApoB, Lp(a), the Cholesterol Balance Test, particle size and numbers, and what are optimal lab results. We also take a deep dive into my recent advanced lipid labs so you can see what it looks like and learn how to read the results. We talk about cholesterol, dietary and synthesized, as well as, saturated fats and their effects on lipids. Watch on my YouTube Channel for the most beneficial experience. We start to talk about genetics- stay tuned for Part 2! And, we talk about additional tests and treatments, including pharmaceuticals and natural options.

 It's February 2024, which is National Heart Disease Month and I have a very special guest joining me who will bring you some clarity on the topic of assessing your risk of heart disease as you transition through menopause and beyond.

Dr. Michael H. Davidson is board-certified in internal medicine, cardiology, and clinical lipidology. He’s a Professor of Medicine, Director of the Lipid Clinic at The University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine, and serves as the Chief Executive Officer of New Amsterdam Pharma. Dr. Davidson earned his medical degree from The Ohio State University College of Medicine and completed his residency and fellowship in cardiology at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago. An active researcher, Dr. Davidson’s clinical research background encompasses pharmaceutical and nutritional clinical trials. His extensive research on statins, novel lipid-lowering drugs, and nonpharmacologic risk factor reduction have established him as a world opinion leader.

 He's a prolific author and lecturer on lipid disorders, nutrition, and atherosclerosis, and has coordinated more than 1,000 clinical trials in areas of preventive cardiology, published more than 250 articles for leading medical journals, and has written 3 books on Lipidology. He has been named one of the The Best Doctors

in America for the past 15 years and was named Father of the Year by the American Diabetes Association in 2010.

Medical Disclaimer:

By listening to this podcast, you agree not to use this podcast as medical advice or to make any lifestyle changes to treat any medical condition in yourself or others. Consult your own physician for any medical issues that you may be having.  This entire disclaimer also applies to any of my guests on my podcast.

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