If you recently entered menopause, you may worry a great deal about your health, especially your heart. Although menopause can place you at risk for cardiovascular disease, you can keep your heart healthy by eating well and by getting six to eight hours of sleep per night. Here's how a good night's sleep keeps your heart healthy during menopause.
How Does Get Sufficient Sleep Help Your Heart?
Menopause can make it difficult to sleep during the night, especially if you experience intense hot flashes or night sweats. Some women experience an increase in blood pressure during menopause. Although many of these symptoms eventually ease up, some problems can still affect the health of your heart.
Along with your kidneys, lungs, and other major organs, your heart rests during the night. The rest period also allows your heart rate to decrease and blood pressure to lower. Both of these cardiovascular problems can place strain on your heart and blood vessels.
A good night's sleep may also give you the energy to workout or exercise properly. Exercises, such as strength training and jogging, can protect your heart and blood vessels from disease. Exercise also lowers your blood sugar levels. High blood sugar (diabetes) has the potential to damage the blood vessels in your body.
If you still worry about your heart, even after you make the appropriate changes in your sleep habits, see a heart specialist (cardiologist) for an exam.
How Do You Know if Your Heart Is Healthy?
A heart disease care specialist can use different tools to examine or screen your heart for problems, including an electrocardiogram (EKG). An EKG can measure how fast and steady your heart beats. The test can reveal problems with your heart's muscle tissue and valves, including arrhythmia and high cholesterol. These conditions can make your heart beat irregularly.
If a cardiologist does locate an issue with your heart, they can provide the appropriate treatment. Your treatments may include medications that lower your blood cholesterol levels or drugs that slow down your heart rate. Some women may go on exercise plans to help strengthen their cardiovascular systems.
A heart specialist may also work other doctors to improve your ability to sleep. Even if you receive treatment for your heart problem, you still need to the proper amount of sleep to maintain good health.
You can learn more about your heart and menopause's affect on it by contacting a specialist today.
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