Cholesterol. You’ve heard of it, you know it’s important, and you think it has something to do with your heart. So far, you’re on the right track. But what if we told you that both gender and aging play a role in determining your cholesterol profile—and thus, your overall cardiovascular risk throughout your life?
Umm, say what?
New research in the journal
Circulation examines the role of menopause in heart disease risk and reveals something pretty astounding: This midlife transition marks an increase in LDL levels in the body, ultimately contributing to an elevated heart disease risk for women. What’s more, this is true no matter the age you go through menopause—your 50s (as the majority of women do), your 40s, or even your 30s.