Although women need more calories during pregnancy and breastfeeding, there is still need for a heart-healthy diet. A daily prenatal multivitamin is often encouraged, but eating a healthy diet is more important for both mother and baby. Many women find they are unable to lose all of the weight they gain during pregnancy. Diabetes Diabetes increases the risk of developing CVD, however, this risk is greater for women than men. Diabetes causes changes in blood vessel elasticity and plaque formation that lead to atherosclerosis and elevated blood pressure levels.
Diabetes also increases the risk of stroke, as well as the severity and mortality of strokes.
Smoking increases damage to blood vessels, and is a strong risk factor for CVD by itself. Maintain blood pressure at desirable levels of Eat a diet low in fat, saturated fat, trans fatty acids and cholesterol to maintain blood levels of cholesterol within healthy levels. Discuss your CVD risk factors with your physician and have your blood pressure, blood cholesterol and blood glucose levels checked frequently. Menopause During menopause, most women will see a five to 19 percent increase in blood cholesterol levels. At the same time, levels of LDL-cholesterol also rise, reaching the same levels as men of the same age demographic for the first time.