Private MD News

Post-menopausal women may benefit from cholesterol testing

Category: Heart Health and Cholesterol

Heart disease is often thought to be a problem that mostly affects men. However, experts are increasingly warning women that they should consider cholesterol testing to ensure that they are not at risk for developing the condition, which can lead to stroke and heart attack.

According to the American Heart Association, the female sex hormone estrogen increases the body's levels of good cholesterol. This substance carries bad cholesterol out of the arteries and to the liver, where it can be broken down.

However, when women enter menopause, their estrogen levels tend to drop at a rapid rate. Along with estrogen go its heart-protecting effects. This could put women who have enjoyed good cardiovascular health their whole lives at increased risk of cardiovascular disease.

For this reason, health experts commonly recommend that women over the age of 55 consider seeking regular cholesterol testing. This may help them avert a major problem before it emerges. As with many conditions, early diagnosis is the key to effectively treating heart disease and avoiding many of the negative consequences that come along with it.