A CHANGE CAN BE AS GOOD AS A REST
New research into women's cardiovascular ageing is another reminder that midlife health is about much more than managing menopause symptoms
This week's blog comes after what everyone seemed convinced was my holiday in Spain.
It wasn't a holiday!
There were Zoom calls, meetings, planning and plenty of time with our laptops open. One day I didn't even leave the hotel room because I was on calls all day.
But there was sunshine. There was the ocean. And there was something incredibly valuable about simply changing my environment.
At home, there are always little things competing for our attention.
Being somewhere different removed some of that background noise.
My brain felt clearer. We focused. We got things done.
And despite working, I came home feeling slightly reset.
Perhaps there really is something in the saying:
A change can be as good as a rest.
Jackie
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WHY PREVENTATIVE HEALTH MATTERS TO ME
Alongside that, I've recently had a stark reminder of how quickly someone's health can change when a relative became unwell.
Alongside that, I've recently had a stark reminder of how quickly someone's health can change when a relative became unwell.
Moments like that always bring me back to something I'm incredibly passionate about:
Preventative health.
None of us can guarantee that we'll never become ill.
Eating well, exercising and doing everything "right" cannot make us immune from disease.
BUT THERE ARE THINGS WITHIN OUR INFLUENCE....
...AND I'D MUCH RATHER BEGIN SUPPORTING MY HEALTH BEFORE THERE'S A PROBLEM.
That's particularly important during midlife.
Perimenopause, menopause and post-menopause aren't simply about getting through hot flushes, poor sleep or brain fog.
Our cardiovascular health, metabolic health, bones, muscles and brain health deserve attention too.
Menopause isn't a reason to become frightened about our future health.
It's an opportunity to become better informed about it.
WOMEN'S HEART HEALTH MAY START CHANGING EARLIER THAN WE THOUGHT
Some fascinating new research from the long-running Framingham Heart Study fits perfectly with this conversation.
Researchers analysed data from 6,760 participants and looked at changes in pulse pressure, the difference between the upper and lower numbers in a blood pressure reading.
They found that in women, pulse pressure reached its lowest point and began increasing in the late 30s, around a decade earlier than in men.
Interestingly, this occurred years before menopause and wasn't explained by whether menopause happened early, at an average age or later.
This doesn't mean women suddenly develop cardiovascular disease in their 30s.
Nor does it mean menopause is irrelevant to heart health.
What it suggests is that cardiovascular ageing in women may begin changing earlier than we previously appreciated.
And for me, that reinforces an important message:
Prevention doesn't begin when something goes wrong.
It begins much earlier.
TIP OF THE WEEK: KNOW YOUR NUMBERS
So here's something very practical.
When did you last have your basic health numbers checked?
Consider:
- Blood pressure
- Cholesterol
- Blood glucose or HbA1c, where appropriate
And importantly, do you understand what those numbers mean for you?
High blood pressure often causes no obvious symptoms. Changes in cholesterol and glucose regulation can also develop quietly.
You don't need to monitor every biomarker imaginable or become frightened by numbers.
The goal is to become informed.
Depending on your individual circumstances, other information may also be useful, but it should always have a purpose.
That's the principle behind my approach:
TEST - UNDERSTAND - SUPPORT
Not testing for the sake of testing.
Information should help us make better decisions.
WHERE TO START
If you’re overwhelmed by menopause advice and no longer know what applies to you, you can start with:
ONE THING YOUR FUTURE SELF WILL THANK YOU FOR
You don't need to overhaul your entire life this week. Ask yourself:
“What's one thing I can do today that supports the woman I want to be ten years from now?”
Maybe it's booking a blood-pressure check.
Restarting strength training.
Going to bed earlier.
Eating a more nourishing lunch.
Taking that walk.
Or finally asking for help with something you've been ignoring. Small actions matter.
We can't control everything about our future health. But we can become curious earlier, understand our risks and support the things that are within our influence. And perhaps that's one of the greatest opportunities midlife gives us. Not fear.
Information, understanding and the opportunity to invest in the woman we're becoming.
With you,
Jackie
Menopause Health Specialist
Creator of The Menopause Vitality Reset
