HEART HEALTH MONTH

With the focus on heart health this month, I can’t help to notice how much harder it is for Canadians to stay fit and active during winter. We don’t only have to navigate through extremely cold conditions, but also be aware of ice and potential falling hazards. Due to my recent scientific research paper I am placing the focus specifically on female cardiovascular health in this months blog.

With over 25 million females annually reaching menopause, the years beyond menopause leave them more vulnerable to CVD. The female cardiovascular profile, especially blood pressure regulation, is predominantly affected by estradiol. Due to these hormonal changes that promote chronic low-grade inflammation and physiological alteration females are more likely to develop cardiovascular disease with higher mortality rates in the years beyond menopause. Other cardiovascular risk factors such as unhealthy nutrition, obesity, diabetes mellitus, sedentary lifestyle and smoking enhance the odds of developing cardiovascular disease (CVD) and frailty syndrome. These individuals also clinically present higher levels of visceral fat further aggravated by a reduction in fitness levels post-menopause.

The postmenopausal-hypertensive phenotype can therefore be characterized by temperature deregulation, autonomic imbalance, arterial stiffness, endothelial dysfunction and anthropometric indices such as higher BMI and waist circumference. The hallmarks and main contributors to postmenopausal hypertension are the loss of estradiol, baroreflex sensitivity, oxidative stress, inflammation, myocardial apoptosis and fibrosis. Fortunately, various types of exercise as a non-pharmacological intervention can help counteract these hallmarks.

Adopting an active healthy lifestyle and avoiding external damaging factors in order to maintain cognitive and physical function, indirectly guarantees autonomy, independence and a longer health-span for the older individual. Aerobic and anaerobic exercise differs in intensity, duration and muscle fiber recruitment, and despite all the research there is still no clear evidence in superiority regarding CVD prevention. In fact research have indicated that even a stretching program can improve hypertension. Ultimately the goal is to stay active and avoid a sedentary lifestyle, not only for the month of February, but also for the rest of the year. Thank you to both the woman AND men that move with me every week. Together we stand accountable!

PS: Happy Valentines day