Vitalize Wellness Podcast S1E6: Menopause & Your Heart: What You Need To Know

Menopause changes more than your hormones. But could those changes also affect your heart? When women think about menopause, they often focus on hot flashes, disrupted sleep, mood changes, and weight gain. But there's another important conversation that deserves attention: the relationship between declining hormones, cardiovascular health, and metabolism. In this episode of The Vitalize Wellness Podcast, Dr. Georgia Nab and nurse practitioner Chelsea Nab explore the cardiometabolic effects of menopause. They discuss how declining estrogen can influence cholesterol, blood vessel function, body composition, and cardiovascular risk—and why understanding these changes is an important part of women's long-term health. Georgia and Chelsea also explore the relationship between hormonal changes and gut health, discuss cardiovascular testing and laboratory markers, and share their perspectives on nutrition, exercise, and individualized wellness strategies. Most importantly, this episode encourages women to look beyond the traditional symptoms of menopause and become more proactive about understanding their cardiovascular health. **IN THIS EPISODE, WE DISCUSS:** 00:00 - Menopause and cardiometabolic health: understanding the connection between hormones, metabolism, and your heart. 01:00 - Estrogen and cardiovascular health: how declining hormone levels can affect cholesterol, blood vessels, and cardiovascular risk. 01:45 - Nitric oxide: why it's important for blood vessel function and circulation. 02:15 - Understanding cholesterol: why LDL levels may change after menopause. 03:00 - LDL vs. HDL: Georgia's explanation of cholesterol balance and why both deserve attention. 04:00 - Testosterone and cardiovascular health: the relationship between hormones, muscle preservation, and metabolism. 04:35 - Menopause and blood pressure: how hormonal changes and visceral fat may contribute to rising blood pressure. 05:15 - Looking at the whole picture: why Georgia and Chelsea discuss comprehensive laboratory testing. 05:45 - Estrogen and gut health: the relationship between hormonal changes and your gut microbiome. 06:15 - Nutrition and fiber: practical strategies Georgia recommends for supporting digestive health. 06:45 - Coronary artery calcium (CAC) scoring: understanding a screening tool that may help assess cardiovascular risk. 08:00 - What happens when your calcium score is elevated? Understanding Georgia's approach to investigating potential contributing factors. 09:00 - Cardiovascular laboratory testing: cholesterol panels, thyroid testing, family history, and advanced lipid analysis. 09:30 - Beyond standard cholesterol testing: NMR lipoprotein profiles and additional cardiovascular markers. 10:00 - Inflammation and cardiovascular health: homocysteine, hs-CRP, D-dimer, and fibrinogen. 10:40 - Additional wellness approaches: Chelsea discusses peptides, while Georgia explores nutritional and botanical support. 11:40 - Food first: beets, nitric oxide, and the role of nutrition. 12:00 - Why exercise matters: protein, physical activity, and supporting cardiovascular health. 12:30 - High-intensity interval training: Georgia's discussion of incorporating movement into your routine. 13:00 - Your takeaways: understanding your laboratory results and taking action to support cardiovascular health. **YOUR HEART DESERVES ATTENTION BEFORE SYMPTOMS APPEAR.** Menopause is a natural stage of life, but the hormonal changes associated with it can influence important aspects of cardiovascular and metabolic health. Understanding your individual risk factors, discussing appropriate testing with your healthcare professional, and developing sustainable nutrition and exercise habits can help you take a more proactive approach to long-term wellness. You don't have to wait until something feels wrong to start paying attention to your heart. **YOUR 1° OF CHANGE** Georgia's challenge: Start moving. If you're not currently exercising, begin incorporating physical activity into your routine. Georgia discusses high-intensity interval training as one option for getting your heart rate up and bringing it back down. Choose an appropriate starting point based on your health and fitness level, and discuss vigorous exercise with your healthcare professional if you have cardiovascular concerns. **YOUR PATH TO VITALITY** Chelsea's recommendation: Take a deeper look at your laboratory results. Rather than focusing on a single cholesterol number, talk with your healthcare professional about your overall cardiovascular risk, family history, and whether additional testing might be appropriate. Understanding the bigger picture can help you make more informed decisions about your long-term health. Your path to vitality starts here. Like and subscribe to join us as we explore the truth about living well at every age. **THE VITALIZE WELLNESS PODCAST** Vitality Through Every Breath Hosted by Dr. Georgia Nab and Chelsea Nab, APRN Listen to The Vitalize Wellness Podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube. **MEDICAL DISCLAIMER** The Vitalize Wellness Podcast is provided for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended to provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. The information shared reflects general health and wellness education and should not be used as a substitute for individualized care from a qualified healthcare professional. Health needs, medical histories, medications, and treatment options vary from person to person. Always consult with your own qualified healthcare professional before starting, stopping, or changing any medication, supplement, treatment, nutrition plan, or health-related program. Any products, services, treatments, or therapies discussed on this podcast are presented for educational purposes and are not intended as a guarantee of results or as a recommendation that they are appropriate for every individual. If you are experiencing a medical emergency, seek immediate medical attention. © The Vitalize Wellness Podcast. All rights reserved.