Women are often aware of changes in body shape as they reach midlife - the well described ‘middle age spread'. At the same time there are other changes occurring which put women at an increased risk of heart disease. Things like high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes start around this time of life and as they have no symptoms women need to see a doctor to have a check-up. There is a perception that cancers, particularly breast cancer are the main risk to our health, but in fact over 80% women die of circulation diseases such as heart attacks or strokes and only 2.6% die of breast cancer.

The focus of the Australasian Menopause Society's (AMS) congress last week in Melbourne was obesity and the bad effect it can have on body metabolism leading to heart disease and diabetes. The good news is that women can improve their long term health simply by eating low fat foods with less carbohydrate and exercising regularly. Losing 5kg in weight, and keeping it off, keeping waist measurement less than 88cm and walking briskly for an hour five times a week has been shown to have amazing health benefits.

On World Menopause Day the AMS together with the Heart Foundation encourage women to think of themselves, think about their health and enjoy the positive side of midlife.

Go and talk to your doctor and find a buddy to walk with!

Dr Alice MacLennan

Australasian Menopause Society President

Content Updated 18 October, 2008