Cholesterol Shock: What Women Over 40 Need To Know with Dr. Eve Henry

This is StRest! Kerstin Lindquist sits down with Dr. Eve Henry — internal medicine physician, preventive health expert, integrative medicine practitioner and medical director at Function Health — for a straight conversation about cholesterol, heart disease, menopause, statins, metabolic health, GLP-1s and what women actually need to know about their labs.

Dr. Henry explains why so many women see their cholesterol rise in their 40s and 50s, even if they have always thought of themselves as someone with “great cholesterol.” She breaks down how estrogen affects cholesterol, why perimenopause and menopause can change the picture quickly, and why women should not automatically blame themselves, their diet or their lifestyle when their numbers shift.

The conversation covers what really matters on a cholesterol panel, including ApoB, Lp(a), triglycerides, insulin, glucose, A1C and blood pressure. Dr. Henry explains why particle number may matter more than particle size, why ApoB can be one of the most useful markers, and why every woman should know her Lp(a). She also explains genetic risk, polygenic risk scores and when imaging like a coronary calcium scan or CT angiogram may help guide decisions.

Kerstin and Dr. Henry also get into the statin debate, including why doctors prescribe them, what side effects can happen, and what other options exist, including Zetia and PCSK9 inhibitors. Dr. Henry shares her own experience with high ApoB and cholesterol medication, why HRT usually does not fix cholesterol, and how thyroid, weight gain, metabolic health, insulin resistance, supplements and GLP-1 medications fit into the bigger heart-health picture.

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CHAPTERS(00:00) GLP-1s And Metabolic Health(01:14) The Cholesterol Questions(04:45) Meet Dr. Eve Henry(07:20) Why Cholesterol Rises(09:49) Diet, Eggs And Meat(11:19) Lifestyle And Heart Risk(14:21) What Counts As High?(18:46) Tests Women Should Ask For(25:54) Heart Imaging Explained(32:45) Statins, Zetia And GLP-1s