More Women Die of Heart Disease Than Breast Cancer After 45. Why Aren't We Talking About It?

The biggest health risk facing women in midlife isn't breast cancer but cardiovascular disease. In this eye-opening conversation, menopause specialist Dr. Carys Sonnenberg joins me to discuss why menopause should be viewed not only as a hormonal transition but also as a major cardiovascular event. Together, we explore the surprising statistics linking menopause, heart disease, stroke risk, cholesterol changes, blood pressure, metabolic syndrome, early menopause, and hormone replacement therapy (HRT). Dr. Sonnenberg explains how declining estrogen affects the heart and blood vessels, why women in perimenopause and menopause may experience symptoms like heart palpitations, and what every woman should know about protecting her long-term health. The discussion also tackles common misconceptions about HRT, cardiovascular risk, and why women under 40 experiencing menopause symptoms are often overlooked. Dr. Carys Sonnenberg is an NHS General Practitioner, British Menopause Society Registered Menopause Specialist, co-author of Women's Health Made Easy, and Founder of Rowena Health, an online menopause clinic supporting women across the UK. If you're in your late 30s, 40s, 50s, or beyond, this conversation could change how you think about menopause and healthy aging. In This Episode: ✔ Why cardiovascular disease is the leading health threat for many women in midlife ✔ The connection between menopause, cholesterol, blood pressure, and diabetes ✔ Early menopause and cardiovascular risk ✔ Heart palpitations during perimenopause ✔ What the evidence says about HRT and heart health ✔ Why sleep matters for cardiovascular protection ✔ Lifestyle changes that support long-term health ✔ Questions every woman should ask her doctor