🚨 Menopause, LDL, and Heart Disease: What You Need to Know 🚨 I’m sharing a powerful video from Dr. Paddy Barrett discussing menopause, rising LDL levels, and cardiovascular disease risk—a critical issue that’s too often overlooked in women’s health. 💡 Here’s what the research says: A 2022 study (Hodis & Mack, Cancer J.) reinforces what many experts have been saying for years: Menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) is not just about symptom relief—it’s a time-sensitive strategy for reducing cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk and all-cause mortality. 📊 Key Findings: ✅ Timing matters: MHT significantly reduces heart disease and all-cause mortality when started before age 60 or within 10 years of menopause. ✅ Lipid-lowering medications alone aren’t enough—statins may reduce LDL, but they haven’t been shown to reduce all-cause mortality in primary prevention the way MHT does. ✅ Risk concerns are overblown—serious events (stroke, breast cancer, clots) occur in fewer than 10 per 10,000 women, making MHT’s risk profile comparable to other commonly prescribed medications. ✅ MHT supports vascular health—helping to maintain blood vessel function and preventing the cardiovascular decline that accelerates after estrogen loss. 💡 The Takeaway: Estrogen directly affects cholesterol metabolism, vascular function, and inflammation—so the rise in LDL after menopause isn’t just a number on a lab report—it’s a warning sign of what’s happening inside blood vessels. If we truly want to prevent heart disease—the #1 killer of women—MHT should be part of the conversation, not dismissed. 📖 Reference: Hodis & Mack, Menopausal Hormone Replacement Therapy and Reduction of All-Cause Mortality and Cardiovascular Disease, Cancer J, 2022. DOI: 10.1097/PPO.0000000000000591 ✨ What are your thoughts on MHT for heart health? Drop your questions below! #MenopauseMatters #HeartHealth #LDL #HormoneThe