Hot flashes… Mood swings… Heart disease?
As women, we know the most common effects of menopause. But what we may not understand is the relationship between menopause and the health of our hearts. When taken in conjunction with elevated cholesterol levels, for example, going through menopause could lead to more than just hot flashes and mood swings. It could lead to heart disease.
“Despite campaigns to raise awareness, many women still misunderstand the risks they face from heart disease,” notes board-certified lipidologist and Clinical Assistant Professor of Medicine at NYU Medical School James Underberg, M.D. “However, heart disease is the leading cause of death for all American women and, after menopause, women’s mortality rates surpass those of men.”
A cholesterol specialist and nationally recognized expert in cardiovascular disease prevention, Dr. Underberg is dedicated to helping women minimize their risk for heart disease. “Inactivity, weight gain, diabetes and the onset of menopause are particular problems for women because of the associated rise in triglycerides and a change in the way cholesterol is metabolized.
“What’s more, standard cholesterol panels may not fully identify a woman’s individual risk,” Dr. Underberg explains. “A woman’s cholesterol levels may be within an acceptable range, but unless lipids and lipoproteins are evaluated, problems may still exist. If left untreated, these things can lead to heart disease or stroke. With proper testing, we can prevent or even reverse disease.”
Effective Care for All Ages
Although maintaining healthy cholesterol levels is critical for heart health following menopause, women still within their childbearing years can also be adversely affected by the condition.
“Young women with genetic cholesterol disorders are especially in danger,” says Dr. Underberg, who is a fellow of the National Lipid Association. “All too often, these women avoid treatment because of the negative effects medication can have on childbearing. However, we can provide them with safe, effective treatment that not only successfully addresses the issue of cholesterol, but also protects their reproductive health.”
As women, we know the most common effects of menopause. But what we may not understand is the relationship between menopause and the health of our hearts. When taken in conjunction with elevated cholesterol levels, for example, going through menopause could lead to more than just hot flashes and mood swings. It could lead to heart disease.
“Despite campaigns to raise awareness, many women still misunderstand the risks they face from heart disease,” notes board-certified lipidologist and Clinical Assistant Professor of Medicine at NYU Medical School James Underberg, M.D. “However, heart disease is the leading cause of death for all American women and, after menopause, women’s mortality rates surpass those of men.”
A cholesterol specialist and nationally recognized expert in cardiovascular disease prevention, Dr. Underberg is dedicated to helping women minimize their risk for heart disease. “Inactivity, weight gain, diabetes and the onset of menopause are particular problems for women because of the associated rise in triglycerides and a change in the way cholesterol is metabolized.
“What’s more, standard cholesterol panels may not fully identify a woman’s individual risk,” Dr. Underberg explains. “A woman’s cholesterol levels may be within an acceptable range, but unless lipids and lipoproteins are evaluated, problems may still exist. If left untreated, these things can lead to heart disease or stroke. With proper testing, we can prevent or even reverse disease.”
Effective Care for All Ages
Although maintaining healthy cholesterol levels is critical for heart health following menopause, women still within their childbearing years can also be adversely affected by the condition.
“Young women with genetic cholesterol disorders are especially in danger,” says Dr. Underberg, who is a fellow of the National Lipid Association. “All too often, these women avoid treatment because of the negative effects medication can have on childbearing. However, we can provide them with safe, effective treatment that not only successfully addresses the issue of cholesterol, but also protects their reproductive health.”
James Underberg, M.D.
Regardless of age, Dr. Underberg is committed to helping all women through expert-level preventive cardiovascular medicine and, in addition to having a clinical practice that has been recognized for excellence by the American Heart Association, Dr. Underberg also devotes his time to serve as the Medical Director for the Bellevue Hospital Lipid Clinic.
Advancing Knowledge for Preventive Cardiovascular Care
Both as an editor for the Journal of Clinical Lipidology and as an active participant in several clinical trials designed to improve care for hypertension, lipids, diabetes and cardiovascular disease, Dr. Underberg remains on the forefront of preventive cardiovascular medicine. “Developing new advances in medicine allow us to provide our patients with the very best outcomes possible,”
Dr. Underberg says. “And giving each of my patients the highest level of care is my topmost priority.”
To learn more about Dr. Underberg, or to request a consultation, please call 212-726-7430. Visit
Dr. Underberg’s website at www.DrUnderberg.com and the website for NYU Medical Center at www.nyumc.org.
