Life After Menopause: Why Heart and Brain Health Matter More than Ever

For many women, menopause marks the end of one life stage and the beginning of another. But even after symptoms such as hot flashes and irregular periods have passed, the effects of menopause on heart and brain health can continue for years. More than two million women in Washington state are age 40 and older, making menopause a major health transition for a significant share of our communities. Yet many women don’t realize that menopause is associated with changes that can affect both heart and brain health.

Research shows that the years during and after menopause are associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, making it especially important for women in midlife and beyond to understand their risk factors and take steps to protect their health.

Menopause typically occurs between ages 40 and 58, and marks the end of a woman’s reproductive years. During this transition, declining estrogen levels can contribute to changes that affect cardiovascular health, including higher cholesterol levels, increased belly fat, sleep disturbances, and changes in blood vessel function. Women who experience menopause before age 45 may face an even greater risk of cardiovascular disease.

While menopause cannot be prevented, its impact on cardiovascular health doesn’t have to catch women by surprise. Healthy habits established before and during menopause can make a meaningful difference and help lower your risk of heart disease and stroke over time.

Health experts encourage women to discuss their personal risk factors with a trusted healthcare professional, especially if they have high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or diabetes. Regular checkups can identify concerns early and create opportunities to make lifestyle changes that support long-term health.

October is Menopause Awareness Month. World Menopause Day is observed on Oct. 18. These observances serve as reminders that menopause is more than a reproductive health issue. It can also affect heart and brain health. Women can seek guidance from a variety of providers, including primary care physicians, nurse practitioners, gynecologists and midwives.

To support heart and brain health after menopause, experts recommend staying physically active, following a heart-healthy eating pattern, getting adequate sleep, managing stress, and avoiding tobacco and nicotine products. It’s also important to know key health numbers, including blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar, and body mass index.

Menopause can be a time of significant change for heart and brain health, but it also presents an opportunity to be proactive. Understanding risk factors and maintaining regular preventive care can help support cardiovascular health for years to come.

For more information about menopause and heart disease risk, visit GoRedforWomen.org/menopause.

By Ory Holtzman, MD, MBA, FACOG, MSCP. Dr. Holtzman is a Service Line Medical Director of Women’s Health at Kaiser Permanente in Washington.