Menopause: Cholesterol Rises Sharply
December 16th 2009 -
When women come into menopause, their cholesterol levels go significantly up. Especially the amount of “bad” LDL cholesterol increases. This is one of the results of a large U.S. study that examined the more than ten years, the medical conditions of women throughout their lives. An emphasis was cardiovascular disease. As doctors know for some time, increases the risk for this after the menopause. “Our study analyzed various factors associated with menopause and the cardiovascular risk,” said Prof. Karen A. Matthews of the University of Pittsburgh.
The study involved more than 3,300 women took the middle ages and different ethnic backgrounds participated (African American, Caucasian, Japanese, Chinese, Spanish). She underwent an annual medical examination, where, among other things, weight, hip and waist circumference and blood pressure were measured, all factors for heart Cardiovascular Diseases. There were also blood tests and questionnaires, where it went around the monthly periods of women.
Within the ten-year study period, 1054 women were in menopause and recorded their last menstrual period. Analysis of data showed that in one years studied before and after the last menstrual cycle in women affected three of the laboratory values changed dramatically: there was a “significant increase in total cholesterol, caused by an increase in LDL-cholesterol and apolipoprotein B, which LDL-cholesterol transported in the blood, “says Matthews.
All three parameters are considered risk factors for cardiovascular disease. Its increase in the menopause was observed among women of different ethnic backgrounds appear, that is a general reaction to the menopause and related hormonal changes to be suggested the professor. Therefore, she recommends women around the menopause pay particular attention to factors that affect the cardiovascular risk. That means to get rid of excess pounds, keep his weight and then to move more. “And the smokers should quit smoking,” advises Matthews.
Tags: blood test, Cardiovascular Diseases, LDL cholesterol, Menopause, menstrual period, quit smoking, smokers
