Cardiovascular Risk in Midlife Women: Insulin Resistance, Inflammation & Heart Health Part 1

Are you being told your cholesterol is “normal” but still worried about your heart health? Wondering if supplements are enough—or if you should consider a statin?

In this episode, Dr. Polly Watson and Kate Willis, NP-C, break down cardiovascular risk in midlife women and explain how to interpret labs beyond standard cholesterol numbers. They share a clear, practical framework to help you understand your true risk and decide when lifestyle, supplements, or medication may be appropriate.

🌸 LDL alone does not tell the full story—markers like ApoB, Lp(a), fasting insulin, triglycerides, homocysteine, and uric acid offer deeper insight into cardiovascular risk.

🌸 “Normal” lab ranges are based on population averages, not optimal health.

🌸 Insulin resistance is one of the biggest drivers of heart disease—and one area where you have real agency.

🌸 Inflammation and oxidative stress quietly increase cardiovascular risk, especially during perimenopause and menopause.

🌸 Lifestyle habits like strength training, blood sugar balance, and quality sleep form the foundation of prevention.

🌸 Supplements can support specific patterns of risk, but they cannot replace movement and healthy habits.

🌸 Statins have a role in certain high-risk patients, especially when plaque is already present.

If you’re a midlife woman trying to make sense of your labs and protect your long-term health, this episode offers clarity, context, and practical next steps. You’ll walk away feeling empowered to make informed decisions about your heart.

📘 Try our 10-minute new patient intro course: [https://hormonewellnessmdacademy.teachable.com/p/are-we-a-good-fit-new-patient-welcome-course](https://hormonewellnessmdacademy.teachable.com/p/are-we-a-good-fit-new-patient-welcome-course)

🩺 Looking for Personalized Hormone Care in North Carolina or Alabama?

Hormone Wellness MD provides expert, evidence-based hormone care for women across North Carolina and Alabama. We care for patients in Raleigh, Charlotte, Wilmington, Chapel Hill, Durham, Greensboro, and Birmingham.

If you’re ready for expert care rooted in evidence and empathy, we’d love to support you.

Website: [https://hormonewellnessmd.com](https://hormonewellnessmd.com)

Email: [info@hormonewellnessmd.com](mailto:info@hormonewellnessmd.com)

Call: (919) 364-3430

📲 Follow Hormone Wellness MD:

Instagram: [https://www.instagram.com/hormonewellnessmd](https://www.instagram.com/hormonewellnessmd)

Podcast: [https://hormonewellnessmd.com/podcast](https://hormonewellnessmd.com/podcast)

Denne episoden er hentet fra en åpen RSS-feed og er ikke publisert av Podme. Den kan derfor inneholde annonser.

Episoder(63)

Mast Cell Activation Syndrome in Midlife Women: Symptoms, Histamine & Hormones

Have you ever wondered why symptoms like bloating, migraines, anxiety, rashes, dizziness, or food sensitivities seem to get worse during perimenopause? Have you been told your symptoms are “normal” ev...

17 Jul 40min

Strength Training, Pelvic Floor Therapy & BRCA: What Women Need to Know in Midlife

Are you avoiding strength training because your joints hurt or you’re afraid of getting injured? Have you ever wondered if pelvic floor symptoms, painful sex, or chronic tightness are connected to str...

3 Jul 41min

Inflammaging & Menopause: The Hidden Driver of Weight Gain, Fatigue, and Chronic Disease

Are you doing all the “right” things but still struggling with fatigue, weight gain, brain fog, or rising cholesterol in midlife? Have you wondered why hormones alone don’t always fix how you feel? In...

18 Jun 44min

Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS): Symptoms, IBS, POTS & Why It’s Often Missed

Have you been told your symptoms are “normal” or “all in your head”? Do you struggle with IBS, migraines, dizziness, or unexplained inflammation that no one can connect? In this episode, Dr. Polly Wat...

5 Jun 38min

Cardiovascular Risk in Midlife Women: Insulin Resistance, Inflammation & Heart Health Part 2

Are you wondering if you really need a statin? Have you been handed a prescription but never fully understood your true cardiovascular risk? In this episode, Dr. Polly Watson and Kate Willis, NP-C, br...

22 Mai 31min

The Physical Therapy Perspective on Menopausal Hip Pain: Gluteal Tendinopathy & Movement Patterns

Is your hip pain getting blamed on aging—or brushed off with “just take ibuprofen”? Have you noticed lateral hip pain showing up during perimenopause or menopause without a clear explanation? In this ...

24 Apr 47min

Sustainable Weight Loss: A Metabolic Health Approach (Part 2)

Are you gaining weight in midlife even though you haven’t changed how you eat or exercise? Do you feel like your body suddenly stopped responding to all the things that used to work? In this episode, ...

10 Apr 33min