February is American Heart Month, so you’ll probably hear many messages about eating well, being active, quitting tobacco, managing your weight, and caring for medical issues like high blood pressure and diabetes.
But did you know that hormones play a big role in cardiovascular health? Estradiol, progesterone and testosterone increase the benefits of exercise and nutrition and also directly support your heart. For instance, recent research studies have demonstrated that:
In women, estradiol and progesterone have been shown to have impacts on cardiovascular health, with accelerated development of cardiovascular disease occurring when the ovaries stop producing estradiol and progesterone.
In men, low testosterone levels have been associated with a greater risk of coronary artery disease. Testosterone replacement has been shown to reduce death from heart disease and to improve the delivery of oxygenated blood to heart muscle.
In women, low testosterone levels have been shown to harm cardiovascular function; higher testosterone levels were associated with half the risk of a cardiovascular event
However, the levels of these important hormones drop as we get older. Their sudden drop is why women get symptoms of menopause and why heart disease and other metabolic issues rise in men and women alike as we get older.
So take action to protect your heart in February by getting your hormone levels checked and keeping them optimized. That will also help you get more from eating right and exercising.
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Dr. Hyung Kim is a devoted family man, former hospital system president, and a physician at GenAge Center, a medical practice specializing in longevity, health and wellness. He is triple board-certified by the American Board of Lifestyle Medicine, the American Board of Anti-Aging and Regenerative Medicine, and the American Board of Internal Medicine. His M.D. is from Johns Hopkins, and his M.B.A. from the University of Michigan (Go Blue!).