Menopause & Hyperlipidemia: The Real Cause is Hormones
1Hyperlipidemia in menopausal women isn't just caused by age-related weight gain.
2Decreased estrogen reduces vessel protection, causing bad cholesterol buildup.
3Regular checkups are essential as the risk of cardiovascular disease increases.
📖 Easy Explanation
🔍 Background
Many middle-aged women think their cholesterol levels have risen due to age-related weight gain [1.1]. However, even those who eat a healthy, plant-based diet are often surprised by a sudden hyperlipidemia diagnosis during menopause.
📌 Key Points
The real cause of hyperlipidemia is the decrease in the female hormone (estrogen). This hormone helps the liver clear out bad cholesterol. When it drops after menopause, this clearing ability sharply declines. Thus, regardless of diet, changes in the body's system cause cholesterol levels to rise.
💡 Why It Matters
After menopause, the risk of cardiovascular disease can appear faster and be more fatal than in men. It's important to get regular health checkups and not be afraid to take hyperlipidemia medication if advised by a doctor.
📚 Glossary
고지혈증 (Gojihyeoljeung)Hyperlipidemia; a condition where there is an abnormally high level of lipids in the blood.
에스트로겐 (Eseuteurogen)Estrogen; a female hormone crucial for women's bodily functions and blood vessel protection.
LDLBad cholesterol that builds up in blood vessels, causing arteriosclerosis.
인슐린 저항성 (Insyullin jeohangseong)Insulin resistance; a state where cells fail to absorb glucose well due to decreased insulin function.