Episode 226 - Heart Health After Menopause and Cancer: Don't Panic, But Don't Ignore This Either

Heart disease is one of the biggest long-term health concerns facing cancer survivors after menopause. But before you panic, there is a lot more within your control than you might think. Just recently, I’ve seen several social media posts talking about how our risk of heart disease increases during menopause, especially if you’re not taking HRT. I totally understand how, for many cancer survivors, that can feel so frightening. After all, what do you do if HRT isn’t an option, or if the decision is far more complicated because of your cancer history? Or because you’re super young, maybe? That’s exactly why I wanted to bring in Dr Jordan Emont. Dr Emont is a board-certified OB-GYN with advanced training in menopause medicine, integrative hormonal care and sexual health. In this episode, we talk about what menopause really means for our heart and metabolic health, why cholesterol and insulin resistance matter, and most importantly, the practical steps we can take to reduce risk and feel more in control of our future health. This is a reassuring, empowering conversation that moves beyond fear and focuses on what we can actually do. Whether you’re on endocrine therapy, navigating treatment-induced menopause, or simply wondering how to protect your long-term health after cancer, I think you’ll find this episode incredibly helpful. Resources: Find Dr Emont here https://www.drjordanemont.com/ I have also recorded an in-depth episode on ‘How to take control of your cholesterol’. Go check it out! It’s Episode 125: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ep-125-take-control-of-your-cholesterol/id1631842514?i=1000669090421 Episode Highlights: 00:00 Intro 07:50 Empowering women in healthcare decisions 10:20 Managing menopause and surgery decisions 15:36 Managing health post-ovary removal 19:22 Managing Risk and Health Choices 22:06 Lifestyle and heart health tips 24:58 Menopause specialists and holistic care 29:49 Understanding insulin resistance tests 34:20 Exploring cholesterol medication options **Dani’s links:** Join my NEW blog ‘*Still Becoming’* on Substack: https://substack.com/@danibinnington?r=1osz6a&utm\campaign=profile&utm\medium=profile-page Buy my book ‘Navigating Menopause After Cancer’: https://amzn.eu/d/07dUoYBb Join the 12th September Thames Bridges Trek: https://fundraiseformenopauseandcancer.raiselysite.com/thamesbridgestrekultrachallenge Set up your own fundraiser: https://fundraiseformenopauseandcancer.raiselysite.com/fundraisingideas **Connect with us:** **For more information and resources visit our website:** www.menopauseandcancer.org **Or follow us on Instagram** @menopause\_and\_cancer **Join our Facebook group:** www.facebook.com/groups/menopauseandcancerchathub Mentioned in this episode: Fundraiser Walk: https://fundraiseformenopauseandcancer.raiselysite.com/thamesbridgestrekultrachallenge Substack: https://danibinnington.substack.com/