Menopause is responsible for an increase in cholesterol in women, a study finds.

Health experts have long warned that a woman’s risk for heart disease increases after menopause, but they weren’t sure if this was because of the natural affects of aging or the hormonal changes associated with menopause — or some combination of both.

Now a new study, published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, says it is menopause — and not merely the natural aging process — that is responsible for the rise in cholesterol levels in post-menopausal women.

“As they approach menopause, many, many women show a very striking increase in cholesterol levels, which in turn increases risk for later heart disease,” lead author of the study, Karen A. Matthews from the University of Pittsburgh told Health.com.

For the study, researchers followed over 1000 US women as they went through menopause, testing them for cholesterol, blood pressure, blood glucose and insulin.

And in nearly every woman, regardless of ethnicity, cholesterol levels increased around the time of menopause. Bad cholesterol or low-density lipoprotein (LDL) rose by about 10.5 points or about 9 per cent, and the average total cholesterol level increased by about 6.5 per cent. Although the changes may not appear large, experts say, it is enough to pose a health risk, especially for those with higher ranges of normal cholesterol levels — for these people, only a few points can be enough to tip them into the risk category. Also it should be kept in mind that the typical woman lives decades after menopause so any increase in cholesterol levels can become cumulative over time.

Researchers found that other risk factors for heart disease, such as insulin and systolic blood pressure, also increased as a woman passed through menopause, but they did so at a more gradual and steady rate, suggesting these changes were linked to aging and not specifically to menopause. Of the risk factors measured in the study, the changes in cholesterol levels were the most dramatic.

The study reinforces the importance of paying close attention to blood cholesterol levels, particularly for women going through menopause, researchers say. For most women, menopause occurs around age 50 but can also happen between 40 and 60. (See 10 tests that could save your life.)

5 ways to reduce cholesterol

Elevated blood cholesterol is bad news indeed. Not only does it increase risk for heart disease and heart attack, it has been associated with cancer, kidney failure and even Alzheimer’s disease. While cholesterol levels can be reduced with medications, lifestyle changes can also help. (And if you’re already taking medications, these changes can improve their cholesterol-lowering effect.)

The Mayo Clinic recommends 5 basic lifestyle changes to reduce cholesterol — it’s advice you’ve undoubtedly heard before, but experts say it really can make a difference.

Eat a heart-smart diet. First and foremost, pay attention to what kinds of fats you eat. The ones to avoid are trans fats (foods containing partially hydrogenated oil), which can be found in fried foods and commercially baked products such as cookies and crackers. Saturated fats found in red meat and dairy products can also raise your total cholesterol — opt instead for leaner cuts of meat, low-fat dairy and monounsaturated fats found in olive, peanut and canola oils.

And be sure to add foods to your diet that fight bad cholesterol. These include whole grains, fruits and vegetables, oatmeal, oat bran, nuts, olive oil, fish and omega-3 fatty acids as well as foods fortified with plant sterols or stanols. (See Top foods your heart will love.)

Lose excess pounds. It doesn’t take a huge weight reduction to make an impact. Even losing as little as 5 to 10 pounds (2.3 to 4.6 kilograms) can help reduce cholesterol levels. (See Some winning strategies for becoming a loser.)

Get daily exercise. This is important even if you’re not overweight. Exercise reduces bad cholesterol and even moderate physical activity can help raise high-density lipoprotein (HDL) or good cholesterol. As always, check with your doctor before embarking on an exercise program. (For ideas on how to get started, see Planning a heart-smart exercise program.)

Quit smoking. Did you know that just 20 minutes after quitting your blood pressure decreases? Kicking the smoking habit can also improve your HDL cholesterol level.

Drink alcohol only in moderation. While a moderate intake of alcohol is associated with higher levels of good cholesterol, the benefits aren’t strong enough to recommend alcohol for anyone who doesn’t already drink. If you choose to drink, do so in moderation. (According to the Mayo Clinic, this means no more than one drink a day for women, and one to two drinks a day for men.) Drinking alcohol in excess can lead to serious health problems, including high blood pressure, heart failure and stroke.

Finally, keep in mind that while certainly beneficial, healthy lifestyle choices are not always enough to lower cholesterol levels. In this case, your doctor may also recommend medication.

Sources: Journal of the American College of Cardiology; MedlinePlus.com; Health.com; Mayo Clinic.

Photo ©iStockphoto.com/ Denise Kappa

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Tags: cholesterol, heart disease, menopause