Many believe that heart disease affects men more than women, but the truth is that deaths among women due to the heart are the most. When a woman reaches menopause, her risk of heart disease increases. Linked to this phenomenon are several useful facts for women to know:
* Menopause itself does not cause heart disease, but when there are associated risk factors at this stage of life, such as excess fat in food, a woman’s heart is affected.
* After reaching menopause, the risk of heart disease increases due to a decrease in the body’s production of estrogen. Half of all deaths in women after the age of 50 are due to heart disease.
* If a woman at menopause smokes, or has high blood pressure or diabetes, her risk of heart disease increases.
* Women’s bones are also affected by the low level of estrogen, becoming less dense and more prone to fractures.
After reaching 40, and approaching 50, a woman must make changes in the type of food she eats. It is necessary to reduce the number of carbohydrates, protein, and fats, and increase the number of vegetables, whole grains, nuts, legumes, and fish. It is also necessary to pay attention to physical activity, such as swimming, yoga, and aerobic exercises.