Why Women 40+ Need to Look at Their Heart Health

By: Joni Boyd

While heart disease is often seen as a man’s issue, the reality is that it affects women just as much.

“Women are 10 times more likely to die from heart disease than from breast cancer,” said consultant dietitian and longevity medicine practitioner Dr. Naras Lapsys.

This is a wake-up call for women to take their heart health seriously, especially after 40, when hormonal changes increase the risk.

Dr. Amelia Haines explains that menopause can shift hormone levels, removing the natural protective effect women have against heart disease. 

As a result, it’s more important than ever to raise awareness and take proactive measures to safeguard our hearts.

Omega 3 fatty acids is a key nutrient, essential for maintaining heart health and helpful in regulating the heart’s electrical impulses, reducing inflammation, and improving blood viscosity. 

These fats can also reduce the risk of irregular heartbeats and conditions like atrial fibrillation. 

While oily fish, like salmon and sardines are great sources (those on plant-based diets can turn to algal supplements as an alternative).

Cholesterol is another common concern when it comes to heart health. 

Dr. Naras clears up a lot of confusion by revealing that most of the cholesterol in our bodies is produced naturally, rather than coming from our diet. 

So, while dietary cholesterol can impact heart health, it’s not as significant as we once thought. 

Instead, knowing your lipid profile—including LDL and triglyceride levels—is a more accurate way to assess your cardiovascular risk.