Menopause and Heart Health: 7 Tests Every Midlife Woman Should Know About

<p>Heart disease is the number one killer of women—and yet most of us aren't thinking seriously about menopause and heart health until much later in life.</p><p>I want to change that.</p><p>In this episode of The Midlife Realignment, I’m breaking down what happens to your cardiovascular system as estrogen changes during perimenopause and menopause—and why midlife can be such an important time to start paying attention to your heart.</p><p>I walk you through seven metabolic and cardiovascular markers I want women to know about, including triglycerides, fasting insulin, fasting glucose, hemoglobin A1C, lipoprotein(a), hs-CRP, and homocysteine. I also explain the coronary artery calcium (CAC) score and how it can give you a completely different kind of information about your cardiovascular health.</p><p>But testing is only part of the conversation.</p><p>We’re also getting into insulin resistance, visceral fat, protein, fiber, strength training, walking, continuous glucose monitors, cholesterol, and the evolving conversation around hormone replacement therapy and cardiovascular health.</p><p>My goal isn't to scare you. It's to help you understand your body well enough to walk into your doctor's office informed, prepared, and ready to advocate for yourself.</p><p>Because protecting your heart in midlife doesn't start at 65. It starts now.</p><p>In this episode, you'll learn:</p><p>• Why menopause and heart health are so closely connected<br />• How changing estrogen levels may affect cardiovascular risk<br />• Seven cardiovascular and metabolic markers to discuss with your provider<br />• What a coronary artery calcium score can—and can't—tell you<br />• Why fasting insulin matters even when fasting glucose looks normal<br />• How insulin resistance and visceral fat connect to cardiovascular health<br />• Why protein, fiber, muscle, and walking matter in midlife<br />• How a continuous glucose monitor can help you understand your metabolic response to food<br />• What to discuss with a hormone-literate provider about HRT and heart health</p><p>Your heart deserves your attention long before there's a problem. This episode will help you start asking better questions.</p><p>🔗 Links and Resources:</p><ul><li><a href="https://estherblum.com/?utm_source=chatgpt.com" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">Esther Blum's website</a></li><li><a href="https://estherblum.com/midlife-realignment-podcast/?utm_source=chatgpt.com" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">The Midlife R