Highlights:
The risk of
heart disease increases with age, but for women, especially postmenopausal
women, the risk for heart disease is linked to a greater volume
of a type of fat that surrounds the heart, finds a study led by a research team
at the University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health. The risk of
heart disease also increases with lower levels of estrogen in postmenopausal women.
- Postmenopausal women are at high risk for heart disease due to a greater volume of a type of fat that surrounds the heart.
- The two types of fat that surround the heart are epicardial fat and paracardial fat.
- Paracardial fat, found outside the pericardium increases the risk of heart disease in postmenopausal women.
Link Between Menopause and Heart Disease
Menopause is not directly linked to heart disease. However, some factors that contribute to heart disease increase during the time of menopause. Estrogen is known to have a positive effect on the inner layer of the artery wall and help to keep the blood vessels flexible. A decline in the estrogen hormone is a risk factor for heart disease among postmenopausal women.
HRT Can Reduce Arterial Disease Risk In Women
The use of hormone replacement therapy can help protect postmenopausal women against the development of peripheral artery disease, a new study suggests.
The use of hormone replacement therapy can help protect postmenopausal women against the development of peripheral artery disease, a new study suggests.
‘Higher volume of a type of fat that surrounds the heart called as ‘paracardial fat’ increases the risk of heart disease and lowers hormone levels in postmenopausal women.’
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The findings of
the current study reveal a new menopause-specific indicator of heart disease
risk, which could be a new strategy to reduce the risk of heart disease and
also a target for studies on the impact of hormone replacement therapy in
improving cardiovascular health. "For the first time, we've pinpointed the type of heart fat, linked it to a risk factor for heart disease and shown that menopausal status and estrogen levels are critical modifying factors of its associated risk in women," said lead author Samar R. El Khoudary, Ph.D., M.P.H., assistant professor in Pitt Public Health's Department of Epidemiology.
Fat that Surround the Heart
Early Onset Menopause Linked to Increased Risk of Coronary Heart Disease
Early or premature onset menopause occurring at less than 45 years is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular (heart) disease and overall mortality.
Early or premature onset menopause occurring at less than 45 years is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular (heart) disease and overall mortality.
- Epicardial fat
- Paracardial fat
Paracardial Fat is located outside the pericardium. There are no heart-protective functions of this fat.
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Paleolithic Type Diet Reduces Risk of Diabetes Heart Disease in Postmenopause
Paleo diet, high in polyunsaturated fatty acids, may have long-term beneficial effects on obesity-related disorders, diabetes and heart disease.
Paleo diet, high in polyunsaturated fatty acids, may have long-term beneficial effects on obesity-related disorders, diabetes and heart disease.
The research team evaluated the blood samples and heart CT scans of 478 women from Pittsburgh and Chicago. The participants had enrolled in the Study of Women's Health Across the Nation (SWAN). They were in varying stages of menopause, averaged 51-years-old and were not on hormone replacement therapy.
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Effect of Physical Activity in Postmenopausal Women
Researchers have generated new insights about postmenopausal women into the ways in which physical activity affects how much estrogen is broken down and secreted in the urine.
Researchers have generated new insights about postmenopausal women into the ways in which physical activity affects how much estrogen is broken down and secreted in the urine.
In the current study, the findings showed that greater paracardial fat volume was not only linked to lower levels of estradiol, but it is also associated with a greater risk of coronary artery calcification, which is an early sign of heart disease.
Among the study participants, 60% (25th percentile to the 75th percentile) increase in paracardial fat was associated with a 45% increase in the risk of coronary artery calcification in postmenopausal women compared with pre and early menopausal women.
"Clearly, epicardial and paracardial fat are distinct types of heart fat that are found to be greater in postmenopausal women for different reasons with different effects on heart disease risk--and thus should be evaluated separately when searching for ways to help women avoid heart disease," said El Khoudary.
The volumes of heart fat can be reduced with a heart healthy diet or bariatric surgery. The research team plans to conduct a study on the impact of hormone replacement therapy and its impact on heart fat accumulation with particular attention to the types of heart fat.
Heart-Healthy Diet
A healthy diet combined with regular exercise is important for keeping the heart healthy. Studies have shown that healthy lifestyle choices and a heart-healthy diet can reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke by 80%. Healthier food choices help lower the cholesterol level and normalize blood pressure, which are the risk factors for heart disease.Tips for a Heart-Healthy Diet
Foods to Include
- Include fiber-rich foods like whole grains, cereals, and legumes
- Eat healthy fats such as olive oil, fish oil, nuts and seeds
- Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables
- Include high-quality protein - fish, lean meat and poultry
- Choose skimmed milk and yogurt
- Avoid packaged foods that are high in salt and sugar (chips, fruit juices)
- Do not consume processed meat such as bacon, sausage, and salami
- Avoid convenience foods (cake or pancake mix)
- Samar R. El Khoudary, Kelly J. Shields, Imke Janssen, Matthew J. Budoff, Susan A. Everson Rose, Lynda H. Powell, Karen A. Matthews. Postmenopausal Women With Greater Paracardial Fat Have More Coronary Artery Calcification Than Premenopausal Women: The Study of Women's Health Across the Nation (SWAN) Cardiovascular Fat Ancillary Study. JAHA, January 2017 DOI: 10.1161/JAHA.116.004545
- Menopause and Heart Disease - (http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/Conditions/More/MyHeartandStrokeNews/Menopause-and-Heart-Disease_UCM_448432_Article.jsp)
