Can Low Estrogen Cause Plaque Buildup in Your Arteries?

Prioritizing women’s hormone care can help prevent unexpected and dangerous plaque buildup in your arteries.

Most of us are familiar with what causes plaque buildup in our arteries: eating foods high in saturated fat or cholesterol, smoking, and obesity. But even if you are a healthy and active woman, you can develop plaque buildup due to an unexpected source: low estrogen. Because of this, women’s hormone care is more critical than ever.

Research shows there is a strong correlation between decreased estrogen and an increased risk of plaque buildup in your arteries, a condition known as atherosclerosis. This seriously raises your chances of developing arterial blockages or other heart-related health issues. 

If you are struggling with the symptoms of hormone imbalance, it’s important to consider options like hormone replacement therapy to prevent low estrogen levels from leading to future health problems. Read on to learn more about how your hormones impact your cardiovascular health and how women’s hormone care can help. Protect your health now—book an appointment with our team to get your hormone levels checked.

Estrogen Does Many Important Jobs in Our Body

Estrogen is primarily associated with our reproductive health, but it actually does a lot more than just regulate our menstrual cycle. In fact, it plays a vital role in many different bodily processes for women. It is a crucial hormone for our overall health and wellbeing.

Estrogen contributes to bone health, thermoregulation, and endocrine function. It is linked to mood, memory, and even cognitive abilities, and fluctuating levels of estrogen can be associated with mood disorders such as depression and anxiety. Estrogen also protects overall cardiovascular health by reducing inflammation and constriction in our blood vessels. 

What Happens When Plaque Builds Up in Our Arteries

An estrogen deficiency can lead to a dramatic increase in your risk of developing a serious condition called atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis is a buildup of fats and cholesterol, called plaque, in and on the artery walls. If left untreated, it can have severe consequences, like a heart attack or stroke. 

The buildup of fatty plaque in your arteries puts pressure on your blood vessels, making it harder for blood to flow to your organs. Reduced blood flow in the body can cause numerous health problems, including chest pain or angina. This condition occurs when the heart muscle doesn’t get enough oxygen due to a reduced blood supply. The severity of the pain associated with angina can range from mild discomfort to a crushing pressure that feels like an enormous weight is sitting on your chest. 

Plaque Buildup Can Lead to Serious Diseases

Plaque buildup in arteries is a common cause of several diseases that can impact various parts of the body, including the heart, brain, arms, legs, pelvis, and kidneys. These small, fatty deposits can build up in your arteries over time, narrowing the passage of blood to vital organs like your heart and brain. These may include:

• Coronary Artery Disease: Plaque buildup up in the arteries of your heart, causing chest pain and potentially leading to a heart attack.
• Peripheral Artery Disease: A buildup in the arteries of the legs, arms, or pelvis, leading to limb pain and decreased blood pressure in the affected area.
• Carotid Artery Disease: A buildup in your neck artery that causes reduced blood flow to your brain, which can cause a transient ischemic attack (TIA). This is signaled by sudden numbness or weakness in your arms or legs, difficulty speaking or slurred speech, temporary loss of vision in one eye, or drooping muscles in your face.
• Renal Artery Stenosis: Plaque buildup in the arteries that supply blood to your kidneys, preventing them from cleaning your blood efficiently and potentially leading to kidney failure.
• Vertebral Artery Disease: A buildup in the vertebral artery that supplies blood to the back of your brain, the neural area that controls the automatic bodily functions that keep you alive. 
• Mesenteric Artery Ischemia: Plaque buildup in the arteries that lead to the intestines, reducing blood flow and causing intense abdominal pain, diarrhea, or vomiting.

When a plaque bursts, it can have devastating consequences for your health. The rupture can cause a blood clot to form that may block the artery entirely. This can lead to a heart attack or stroke, two of the leading causes of death worldwide. Ensure you seek immediate medical attention if you experience any symptoms of a heart attack or stroke. 

Hormone Replacement Can Help Prevent High Risk Health Concerns

Prevention is key when it comes to protecting your heart and overall health. Women’s hormone care, such as bioidentical hormone replacement therapy, can help regulate fluctuating hormone levels that can impact your cardiovascular health. 

Hormone imbalance can lead to numerous symptoms, including insomnia, weight gain, and mood swings. Not only can treatment relieve these uncomfortable symptoms, but it can reduce your risk of future health problems. So if you’re looking for a way to manage the symptoms of a hormonal imbalance while also taking care of your heart, consider hormone replacement therapy (HRT). When managed properly, HRT allows you to maintain a healthy and active lifestyle while minimizing the effects of hormonal changes.

Research has shown that increasing estrogen levels can have a positive effect on blood vessels, making them less reactive and more relaxed. Additionally, estrogen can help stabilize the amount of plaque being produced, which means your body can process it normally instead of allowing it to build up. 

Women’s Hormone Care from HerKare

Taking proper care of your hormones helps improve your health and quality of life. We are here to provide you with care you can trust. Take charge of your well-being today—contact us now to schedule an appointment and take an important step toward protecting your heart health for years to come.