| When women go through the change of life, it could | | | | women and heart disease it was confirmed that this |
| bring on heart disease as well. The clotting agent | | | | therapy was not the right treatment for heart disease |
| fibrinogen (a soluble protein in the blood made by the | | | | prevention. |
| liver and made insoluble because of damage tissue), | | | | A new study revealed that women taking hormone |
| increases when a woman is post-menopause; the | | | | replacement therapy medication containing female |
| body experiences less estrogen production and the | | | | hormones, commonly estrogen plus progestin |
| cholesterol levels changes, thus the change of life. | | | | (synthetic progesterone), health risks exceeded the |
| Estrogen is a protective factor against heart disease | | | | health benefits and the study was stopped early. |
| for women, until menopause, at which time it declines, | | | | There were 161,809 women, ages ranging from 50-79. |
| thereby removing the protection. The Cleveland Clinic | | | | Breast cancer increased 26%, heart attacks increased |
| Heart Center explains the connection between | | | | 29%, strokes increased 41%, and blood clots increased |
| women and heart disease and menopausal changes. | | | | more than 50%. |
| The amount of risk caused by each change is | | | | However, the study did show 34% fewer hip fractures |
| unknown, but in most cases there is a greater risk with | | | | and there were other benefits. The risk factor s |
| each change. Heart disease is two to three times | | | | outweigh the benefits. For a short-term treatment, |
| greater after menopause than before. These same | | | | some women may consider HRT, but it should be |
| risks are in women who have had a hysterectomy as | | | | based on individual health history. To read the full |
| well. More women over the age of sixty die of heart | | | | report: Medline Plus-Encyclopedia |
| attacks than men; women's symptoms are different | | | | There are other things that will help women to adjust |
| than men and are often mistaken for something less | | | | to menopause and have a healthy heart. They are to |
| serious. | | | | stop smoking, maintain the proper weight, exercise |
| Wake Forest University-Baptist Medical Center | | | | regularly, cut down on the fatty foods, keep an eye on |
| suggests reduced levels of estrogen caused by stress | | | | your cholesterol, and blood pressure levels. According |
| increase risk of heart attacks and strokes. Stress can | | | | to The Nurses Health Study, folic acid, B-6 and B-12 |
| cause damage to arteries, thus creating problems. | | | | played a role in reducing the risk of heart attack or |
| Heart disease includes the narrowing of the arteries | | | | death among women of heart disease when one |
| that bring oxygen to the heart, inborn defects, diseases | | | | group consumed more food and supplements than the |
| of the heart muscles and heart failure. Two hundred | | | | other group. |
| and fifty thousand American women die each year | | | | If hormone replacement therapy is chosen, remember |
| from this disease and, as women age the risk | | | | to eat healthy and exercise which will maintain healthy |
| increases. It is the leading killer in America. | | | | heart muscles. Be sure to have regular check-ups and |
| Doctors in the past, treated women with hormone | | | | call your health care provider if anything unusual |
| replacement therapy to prevent heart disease during | | | | occurs. |
| menopause and post-menopausal. After a study of | | | | |