Latest news with #SamarR.ElKhoudary
Time of India
21-07-2025
- Health
- Time of India
These 4 habits are key to heart health in middle-aged women, study reveals
As women enter their late 40s and early 50s, the transition through menopause brings more than just the end of menstrual cycles. It triggers a cascade of physiological changes that significantly impact cardiovascular health. From increased belly fat and hormonal fluctuations to higher risks of inflammation, metabolic syndrome, and vascular stiffening, this phase of life poses a critical turning point for heart health. A new study from the University of Pittsburgh, cited by the New York Post, sheds light on the most impactful habits that can help reduce cardiovascular risk. Analyzing data from nearly 3,000 women, researchers found that four specific behaviors — sleep, blood pressure, blood glucose, and smoking — had the greatest long-term impact on heart disease outcomes. 4 habits every woman should track to protect her heart 1. Sleep quality: a nightly reset for your heart Poor sleep isn't just tiring, it can be dangerous for your heart. According to the New York Post, the study emphasized that sleep disruptions during menopause are common and can worsen cardiovascular markers. Hormonal shifts affect circadian rhythms, leading to insomnia and fragmented rest. This, in turn, increases cortisol levels and insulin resistance, both of which contribute to heart disease. The American Heart Association's Life's Essential 8 (LE8) includes sleep as a vital metric for this reason. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Park Crescent at Alembic City, Vadodara – Luxury Homes from ₹2.20 Cr* Onwards Alembic City West Learn More Undo Researchers found that better sleep directly correlated with healthier blood pressure and glucose levels, two other key metrics for heart protection. 'Sleep can suffer with the symptoms of menopause,' said study co-author Samar R. El Khoudary, as quoted in Medical News Today. 'This has implications for heart health we can't ignore.' 2. Blood pressure: the silent strain on your arteries As estrogen declines during menopause, women become more vulnerable to elevated blood pressure. The New York Post reported that the study found significant arterial thickening and stiffness in women entering their 50s, a change often undetected until damage is already underway. High blood pressure, or hypertension, is known as the "silent killer" because it typically shows no symptoms until it's too late. Yet, it's one of the most modifiable risk factors. Lifestyle changes like reducing salt, managing stress, and exercising regularly can help control it. 'There's a change in vascular health, with increasing thickness and stiffness in the carotid artery,' El Khoudary noted. 3. Blood glucose: the hidden predictor of heart risk Even without a diabetes diagnosis, elevated blood sugar levels in middle age are a serious warning sign. According to the study referenced by the New York Post, blood glucose control was among the strongest indicators of future cardiovascular trouble in menopausal women. Insulin resistance tends to rise during this period due to hormonal and metabolic shifts, increasing the likelihood of plaque buildup in the arteries. Experts advise limiting processed sugar, maintaining a balanced diet rich in fiber and healthy fats, and staying active to manage blood glucose levels effectively. Regular screening is also vital, as many cases of prediabetes go unnoticed until complications arise. 4. Smoking: the most avoidable threat to the heart Despite decades of public health warnings, tobacco use remains one of the most damaging and preventable contributors to heart disease. The New York Post noted that smoking was one of the four top predictors of heart problems later in life, especially in postmenopausal women. Nicotine and carbon monoxide not only increase heart rate and blood pressure but also damage the lining of blood vessels, accelerating atherosclerosis. The benefits of quitting are immediate and profound. Just one year after quitting, the risk of coronary heart disease drops by 50 percent. Combined with improvements in sleep, blood sugar, and blood pressure, stopping smoking creates a compounding protective effect for the cardiovascular system. A call to action: know your numbers, take control 'Nearly 45 percent of women over 20 are living with some form of cardiovascular disease,' cardiologist Dr. Stacey Rosen told Fox News Digital, underscoring the need for early and proactive care. Yet, the good news is that most heart disease is preventable through informed lifestyle choices. Doctors recommend regular monitoring of cholesterol, weight, waist circumference, blood pressure, and blood sugar, all modifiable factors. The New York Post emphasizes the value of following the LE8 framework, which includes maintaining a healthy diet, exercising 150 minutes per week, and avoiding tobacco use. Your midlife years are not just about managing symptoms. They are a crucial window to strengthen your heart for the decades ahead.
New York Post
20-07-2025
- Health
- New York Post
These 4 habits in middle age have the ‘greatest impact' on your heart health: study
Menopause may end a woman's monthly cycle, but it can also trigger a slew of unpleasant health risks, from sleep disorders and depression to metabolic syndrome, inflammation and heart disease. 'In the late 40s, around the time of the menopause transition, women undergo many significant changes in their cardiovascular health,' Samar R. El Khoudary, professor of epidemiology at the University of Pittsburgh School of Public Health, told Medical News Today. 'There's an increase in visceral fat, which we know has implications for heart health. There is an increase in risk of metabolic syndrome, which is a combination of three out of five factors including waist circumference, glucose, triglycerides, HDL (high-density lipoprotein cholesterol) and blood pressure. Advertisement 3 A new study shows only one in five menopausal women have ideal scores on the American Heart Association's health-assessment tool Life's Essential 8 (LE8). Wesley/ – 'There's a change in vascular health, with increasing thickness and stiffness in the carotid artery. And with the symptoms of menopause, sleep can suffer, as well.' Worse yet, El Khoudary and her team recently learned only one in five menopausal women have ideal scores on the American Heart Association's health-assessment tool Life's Essential 8 (LE8) — and four of the factors can have a huge impact on heart health. Advertisement The LE8 tracks eight key health metrics: physical activity, cholesterol, diet, sleep, blood pressure, blood sugar, weight and tobacco use. Researchers analyzed the health data of about 3,000 women to find that four of these factors — sleep, blood pressure, blood glucose and smoking — are the heaviest hitters in predicting heart problems later down the road. 'This finding is important because it highlights key areas … that may have the greatest impact on future heart health for women,' El Khoudary said. 3 The LE8 tracks eight key health metrics: physical activity, cholesterol, diet, sleep, blood pressure, blood sugar, weight and tobacco use. InsideCreativeHouse – Advertisement 'However, our study did not test whether targeting these specifically leads to better outcomes than focusing on other factors. This is an important question for future clinical trials to explore.' Unfortunately, these findings indicate that women, especially those in the menopause stage, need to adopt healthier habits in order to keep their ticker happy — although of course that's easier said than done. Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death in women, according to Northwell Health cardiologist and American Heart Association volunteer medical expert Dr. Stacey Rosen, who is based in New York. Advertisement Nearly 45% of women over 20 years old are actually living with some form of CVD, Rosen told Fox News Digital. 3 Researchers analyzed the health data of about 3,000 women to find that four of these factors — sleep, blood pressure, blood glucose and smoking — are the heaviest hitters in predicting heart problems later down the road. bertys30 – And some of the classic symptoms — such as pain radiating down from the left arm — might not necessarily occur in women, who might instead experience extreme fatigue, shortness of breath, dizziness, nausea and indigestion. Jaw, neck and back pain are also symptoms that are easy to dismiss. The good news is that the majority of CVD is preventable through lifestyle changes, heightened awareness and education, Rosen said — which means that 'your heart health is in your hands.' 'Know your numbers — cholesterol, weight, waist circumference, blood pressure, blood sugar — as all are important risk factors that can be modified,' she said. Additionally, experts recommend eating a diet that is high in fiber and antioxidants, shooting for getting at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise per week and quitting smoking.
