The biological landmarks that occur in a woman’s life include many factors and menopause is one of them. Menopause is usually identified with changes in menstrual cycle, hormone levels, hot flashes and even emotional health. Nevertheless, this stage of a woman’s life is also characterized by some other things and needs to focus on woman’s cardiovascular system. Heart problems have long been considered as the problem that concerns mostly men. Nevertheless, today it is known that cardiovascular diseases still kill more women than anything else and take the lives of almost one-third of all women in the world.The Hormonal Shift That Changes Heart RiskUntil menopause, estrogen gives the cardiovascular system a number of advantages. It maintains the proper state of the blood vessels and assists in cholesterol regulation and proper vascular functioning. But when the woman gets into menopause, the drop of oestrogen level can cause various internal alterations. They include the increase of LDL cholesterol level, the decrease of HDL cholesterol level, elevated blood pressure, metabolic alterations and abdominal fat accumulation.All those alterations will increase the chance of getting cardiovascular diseases, such as coronary artery disease, stroke and heart failure. According to the American Heart Association, the women become at greater risk for cardiovascular diseases after going through the process of menopause.Also read: Is Controlling BP Enough After a Brain Bleed? Doctors Explain How to Prevent Another StrokeWhy Women Need Proactive Heart Health During MenopauseOn the other hand, women may suffer from various symptoms that are associated with heart disease but differ from those in men. For instance, fatigue, breathlessness, nausea, lightheadedness, jaw pain, back pain or arm pain can sometimes go unnoticed and are misdiagnosed. Therefore, awareness and medical consultation are vital. Health checkups, blood pressure and cholesterol monitoring, living healthy, eating healthy and individualized medical advice can greatly help in decreasing risks in the future.Also read: Preeclampsia May End With Pregnancy. Your Heart Risk May NotThe Role of Comprehensive Women’s HealthcareTreatment for menopause should not be restricted to treating symptoms; it should include care during the entire period of health transition. Every woman's individual health requirements and guidance through various phases of life should be in accordance with her health needs. Redefining Menopause: A Phase of Awareness, Not FearMenopause should never be seen as a deteriorating process but as a turning point where women can assess the state of their health and adopt preventative measures for their healthcare.Ahead of World Heart Day, the issue of women’s heart health should go beyond just treating heart diseases and focus on preventive measures. It is not only about asking: “how do we treat heart disease in women?” It is also about asking: “how do we detect risk factors and help each woman protect her heart during one of the most critical periods in her life?” For when women understand what is going on in their body, they get the ability to make the right decisions about their health.By Dr. Anupama Gangwal, Senior Consultant – Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Cocoon Hospital, Jaipur