WORLD MENOPAUSE DAY BE MENOPAUSE AWARE
The theme for World Menopause Day 2023 is Cardiovascular Disease, as menopause affects the heart due to low levels of oestrogen. The British Heart Foundation shares some useful information from experts in the field
THE SYMPTOMS OF MENOPAUSE CAN LAST FOR ANYTHING FROM THREE MONTHS TO MORE THAN 10 YEARS Oestrogen protects the arteries of a woman’s heart in a number of ways, including by reducing build-up of fatty plaque. This means that, after the menopause, you are at an increased risk of heart and circulatory disease. Low oestrogen can increase cholesterol levels, which can further increase your risk of developing heart and circulatory disease. Menopause can cause palpitations (feeling your heart beating faster than usual) due to the changing hormone levels. This can sometimes happen during hot flushes. Palpitations are usually harmless.
EARLY MENOPAUSE AND HEART DISEASE RISK One in 100 women experience early menopause, before the age of 40. It puts them at particularly high risk of premature heart and circulatory disease, as well as osteoporosis (a condition that weakens bones).
If you are younger than 45 when your periods stop, you may need tests to check if there is another reason behind it. Family history can play a part, but early menopause can also be associated with thyroid disease, viral infection and eating disorders. Women are also at risk following surgical or treatment induced menopause, for example, if they are undergoing treatment for cancer that requires removal of the female organs.
Treatment for early menopause is particularly important. People in this category should take hormone replacement therapy (HRT) or the combined contraceptive pill to reduce their risk of heart and circulatory disease and osteoporosis until they are at least 51 years old.
THE BENEFITS OF HRT HRT can be used to tackle the symptoms of menopause, at whatever age it occurs. This can be oestrogen on its own or combined with progesterone. HRT is the most effective treatment available to relieve symptoms caused by the menopause, such as hot flushes, night sweats, mood swings and bladder symptoms.
A lot of people think they are being
healthier by avoiding HRT, but there is no evidence that this is the case and they may be suffering unnecessarily Some people may feel scared of HRT, or think they are being healthier by avoiding HRT, but there is no evidence that this is the case and they may be suffering unnecessarily as a result. They may be more likely to engage in unhealthy lifestyle habits, such as being inactive and overeating to improve their mood, thus increasing their risk of heart disease. There have been scare stories about
HRT, but a large study, based on around 18 years of follow-up in 27,000 women, looked at women who took HRT versus those who took a placebo. It found no difference in overall death rates or death
rates from heart disease or stroke, and no significant difference in death rates from cancer. This was the first large study to look at long-term death rates among women taking HRT. Although there have been mixed research findings on the effects of HRT on your heart, there is now significant evidence that HRT, if started in the early years of the menopause, can help to protect your heart health.
THE RISKS OF HRT Taking HRT as tablets can increase the risk of blood clots, including deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and stroke, but this can be avoided by having HRT through the skin (as a patch or gel). HRT is sometimes linked with increased risk of breast cancer. Any increase in risk needs to be considered in terms of your individual risk of breast cancer before HRT – this varies from person to person and is increased by being overweight, drinking alcohol and being physically inactive. Oestrogen-only HRT is associated with little or no change in risk of breast cancer, while combined HRT with oestrogen and progesterone can be associated with an increased risk. For some women, for example those who’ve had breast cancer, hormone treatment might not be suitable. Discuss alternatives with your doctor.
For more resources on looking after your heart health, visit:
www.bhf.org.uk.
19 | POLICE | OCTOBER | 2023
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