Hormone Replacement Therapy: The Key To Protecting Cardiovascular Health After Menopause?

Menopause is often referred to as “the change of life” due to its transformative nature – marking a significant change in a woman’s life. As women transition through menopause, they face a myriad of changes – not only in their bodies but also in their health concerns. Among the most significant and often overlooked considerations is the impact of menopause on cardiovascular health.?

In part 1 of this 2-part blog series, we explored the impact your hormones have on your cardiovascular system. In this blog, we’ll dive into part 2 – how hormone replacement therapy can potentially help us fight back against cardiovascular-related conditions post-menopause. Plus, we’ll touch on some powerful lifestyle shifts you can make before, during, and after menopause to protect and improve your cardiovascular health for years to come.

You can check out part 1 of this series by clicking right here. Now let’s briefly touch on the link between your hormones and your cardiovascular health.

Menopause and Women’s Cardiovascular Health: What’s the Link?

Let’s start by defining exactly what cardiovascular health even is. Cardiovascular health refers to the overall well-being of the heart and blood vessels – encompassing factors such as blood pressure, cholesterol levels, blood vessel function, and your risk of heart-related conditions. So what does that have to do with menopause?

Well, menopause is a natural transition phase in which the body ceases menstruation and the hormones that control fertility begin to decline. This “change of life” typically occurs around the age of 45 to 55 and the impact of these changes extends much deeper than simply reproductive health. You see, this hormonal shift has profound implications for cardiovascular health – with menopause making you significantly more vulnerable to a number of cardiovascular-related conditions (like hypertension, dyslipidemia, atherosclerosis, and metabolic syndrome to name a few).1,2

And this increased risk can, in large part, be traced back to a decline in the two hormones that are primarily impacted during menopause – estrogen and progesterone.

So, How Exactly Do Hormones Like Estrogen and Progesterone Impact Cardiovascular Health?

Estrogen and progesterone are the two main hormones responsible for regulating women’s reproductive health. Estrogen and progesterone work in tandem – maintaining a delicate balance to regulate the menstrual cycle, support ovulation, and prepare the uterus for potential pregnancy. And while these hormones are the superstars when it comes to women’s reproductive health, it’s certainly not the only place they shine.?

You see, like all hormones, estrogen and progesterone serve as potent signaling molecules that instruct cells to perform specific functions. And when estrogen and progesterone interact with your cardiovascular system, they have some important effects. Just some of the cardiovascular-related impacts these hormones have include:3,4

• Vasodilation – or the relaxation of blood vessels
• Inflammation regulation within your cardiovascular system
• Antioxidant activity – combatting harmful oxidative damage
• Cholesterol metabolism
• Coagulation – or blood clotting

To learn more about the intricate interplay between estrogen, progesterone, and your cardiovascular system, be sure to head over and read part 1 of this blog post series: Estrogen, Progesterone, And Women's Cardiovascular Health: The Important Connection. So how can we go about restoring balance to these hormones to protect cardiovascular health? The answer might just lie in what’s known as hormone replacement therapy.

What Is Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT)?

Hormone replacement therapy or HRT is exactly what it sounds like – a therapy that replaces and restores balance to the hormones that the body no longer produces in sufficient amounts. There are a variety of types of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) available for women – which can vary based on the hormones used, their formulations, and the method of administration.

While hormone replacement therapy has traditionally been used to alleviate the symptoms of menopause (things like hot flashes, vaginal dryness, and mood swings), studies have found that HRT may be the secret to protecting and preserving cardiovascular health for women after menopause.?

The Benefits of Hormone Replacement Therapy For Women’s Cardiovascular Health

Research has found that initiating hormone replacement therapy and restoring balance to estrogen and progesterone levels post-menopause can have some significant benefits for cardiovascular health. Some of the most important benefits include:5,6

• Improved lipid profile – or healthier levels of “good” versus “bad cholesterol
• Reduced risk of atherosclerosis – the buildup of plaque in your blood vessels
• Decreased inflammation levels
• Prevention of blood clot formation
• Improved vascular function
• Reduced risk of hypertension or high blood pressure
• Reduced risk of heart attack, stroke, and coronary artery disease

It’s important to note that there is a wide array of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) options – varying in routes, dosages, and formulations – with each factor playing a significant role in determining how your body responds and ultimately impacting cardiovascular health. For that reason, it’s crucial to consult with an experienced professional if you’re considering hormone replacement therapy.

It’s also important to note, that while these findings are indeed promising, research has found that when hormone replacement therapy is initiated might also have a significant impact on post-menopausal cardiovascular health.

The Timing Hypothesis Of HRT: What Is the Optimal Time Frame For Hormone Replacement Therapy for Cardiovascular Health??

The Timing Hypothesis suggests that the optimal time frame for initiating hormone replacement therapy for cardiovascular health benefits is during the early stages of menopause – preferably within the first 10 years after menopause onset. This theory is based on the idea that estrogen therapy initiated closer to the onset of menopause may provide greater cardiovascular protection by preventing or reversing the adverse effects of declining estrogen levels on the cardiovascular system. Studies have suggested that women who initiate HRT earlier in menopause may experience reductions in cardiovascular risk factors and reap the benefits listed above.7,8

These findings are exciting and may be a powerful tool in fighting back against cardiovascular-related conditions. But if you’re approaching menopause or are post-menopausal, you’re probably curious if there are any other ways you can protect your cardiovascular health in addition to exploring hormone replacement therapy.

How Else Can I Protect My Cardiovascular Health After Menopause?

While HRT may indeed be a powerful way to protect your cardiovascular health after menopause, it’s by no means the only strategy. Whether or not you choose to initiate HRT, implementing the following shifts can have a monumental impact on your cardiovascular health. Here’s what I recommend:

• Focus on a heart-healthy diet: Prioritize real, nutrient-dense foods like fresh veggies and fruits, quality protein, healthy fats, and plenty of fiber. And try to minimize your intake of refined, processed, and pre-packaged foods. If you need some recipe ideas to keep it fresh in the kitchen and incorporate more healthy foods, be sure to check out my recipe library .
• Up your antioxidants: If you’re eating a heart-healthy diet full of real, fresh, and wholesome food, you’ll naturally boost your antioxidant levels – which are crucial for shielding your heart and blood vessels from oxidative damage. But it can be helpful to get an extra dose of antioxidants by incorporating a supplement like Glutathione Essentials or Super Turmeric .?
• Get moving: Exercise is essential for a healthy, resilient cardiovascular system. And you don’t have to hit the gym or lace up your running shoes to get moving. A gentle walk outside, taking a fun Zumba class, or playing with your grandkids can all be great for your cardiovascular health – just make sure you’re getting some movement every day. If getting up and moving is a struggle due to pain or immobility, I highly encourage you to check out PowerPlate so you can reap the benefits of movement with minimal effort.
• Quit smoking and minimize alcohol intake: Smoking is extremely damaging to your health – especially cardiovascular health. And regular alcohol consumption can also put a strain on your heart while spiking inflammation.?
• Keep your weight in check: It's estimated that every pound of fat requires about one extra mile of blood vessels – meaning your heart has to work harder and harder. So keeping your weight within a healthy range is critical for cardiovascular health.
• Manage stress: It’s no secret that stress is damaging to our bodies. Chronic stress can trigger a cascade of changes in your body that can put a major damper on your cardiovascular health. So try taking steps to minimize stressors and finding healthy ways to cope with unavoidable stress – things like finding your flow , meditating , or connecting with a loved one can be great stress-busters.
• Minimize inflammation: In short bursts inflammation is healing. But if left unchecked, chronic inflammation becomes the enemy and can significantly up your chances of all kinds of cardiovascular conditions. A good diet and minimizing stress are key to keeping inflammation in check, but it can also be immensely helpful to minimize your toxic burden , make low-tox swaps , support a healthy gut and microbiome , and prioritize plenty of quality sleep .
• Incorporate strategic supplements: Some of my favorite supplements for cardiovascular support include CoQ10 Plus Omega Essentials to support energy production and shield against oxidative damage, Vitamin D3/K2 to support arterial elasticity, and Super Mag to promote healthy blood pressure levels. You can find all these and more on my online store .

Incorporating these lifestyle tweaks can go a long way in keeping your cardiovascular system healthy, happy, and firing on all cylinders for years to come.

Are You Concerned About Menopause and Your Cardiovascular Health?

If you’re approaching menopause or have already gone through this change of life, it’s important to prioritize your cardiovascular health. While we certainly can’t control everything (like when menopause hits), we have the power to stack the deck in our favor. And utilizing hormone replacement therapy may be a powerful tool for doing just that.

But it’s important to know that initiating hormone replacement therapy is a personal choice and should be discussed with a trusted professional (preferably an Integrative and Functional Medicine Practitioner who is well-versed in HRT ) and customized to your unique needs. Regardless of whether or not you decide HRT is right for you, the most important takeaway is this – knowledge is power and you are not at the mercy of a diagnosis, your age, your environment, or any other factor. You are more powerful than you know and your educated, informed choices can have a life-changing impact on your health.

If you enjoyed this article and are looking for more ways to educate and empower yourself so you can experience the vibrant health, longevity, and happiness we all deserve, I’ve got you covered. The best place to start is with my Resource Roadmap . It’ll help you zero in on the topics and resources that are going to be most useful to you – wherever you’re at in your journey. And the best part is, it’s yours for free – simply click here to download your Resource Roadmap today !

Resources:

1. What Is Menopause? | National Institute on Aging ( nih.gov )
2. The connection between menopause and cardiovascular disease risks | American Heart Association
3. Menopause and women’s cardiovascular health: is it really an obvious relationship? – PMC ( nih.gov )
4. Estrogen and the cardiovascular system – ScienceDirect
5. Menopausal Hormone Replacement Therapy and Reduction of All-Cause Mortality and Cardiovascular Disease: It’s About Time and Timing – PMC ( nih.gov )
6. Estrogen and cardiovascular disease – ScienceDirect
7. Estrogen and the cardiovascular system – ScienceDirect
8. Estrogen and cardiovascular disease – ScienceDirect

* These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. The product mentioned in this article are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. ? The information in this article is not intended to replace any recommendations or relationship with your physician. ?Please review references sited at end of article for scientific support of any claims made.