May 28, 2026 - Women's Journal

Study Finds Heart Health Risks Rise During Perimenopause

Womens Journal Staff 2 on May 28, 2026

Perimenopause heart health concerns are receiving renewed attention after researchers identified evidence that cardiovascular changes in women may begin earlier than many physicians previously recognized. The findings emerged from a large-scale study examining metabolic and vascular indicators among women transitioning into menopause, with researchers observing measurable shifts in cholesterol, blood sugar regulation, and blood vessel function during the perimenopausal stage.

The study focused on women who had not yet reached menopause but were already experiencing hormonal fluctuations associated with the transition period. Researchers analyzed cardiovascular markers over time and found that several risk indicators linked to heart disease appeared before menopause officially began. The findings are prompting additional discussion among medical professionals about earlier screening and preventive care strategies for women entering midlife.

Heart disease remains one of the leading causes of death among women globally. While menopause has long been associated with increased cardiovascular risk, the latest findings suggest the biological changes contributing to that risk may start years earlier than previously emphasized in clinical practice. Researchers involved in the study examined how shifting estrogen levels during perimenopause may influence vascular function, inflammation, and metabolic health.

The research adds to a growing body of evidence connecting hormonal changes to cardiovascular outcomes in women. Physicians and public health experts have increasingly emphasized the importance of recognizing symptoms and risk factors unique to female patients, particularly because women often present heart disease differently than men.

Researchers Identified Changes in Multiple Cardiovascular Indicators

The study tracked several markers associated with cardiovascular health, including cholesterol levels, insulin resistance, blood pressure, and arterial function. Investigators found that women in perimenopause showed signs of worsening cardiovascular health even before the cessation of menstrual cycles traditionally used to define menopause.

Among the observed changes were increases in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, commonly referred to as LDL cholesterol, alongside shifts in blood sugar metabolism. Researchers also noted evidence of reduced vascular flexibility, a factor associated with increased strain on the cardiovascular system over time.

Perimenopause can begin several years before menopause and is characterized by fluctuating reproductive hormone levels. During this phase, estrogen production becomes less consistent, which researchers believe may contribute to changes in how blood vessels function and how the body processes fats and glucose.

Medical researchers have long studied estrogen’s relationship to cardiovascular protection. Estrogen is believed to help maintain healthy blood vessel function and support favorable cholesterol levels during reproductive years. As hormone levels decline or fluctuate, those protective effects may weaken, potentially contributing to elevated cardiovascular risk.

The study’s findings may influence future recommendations regarding routine cardiovascular assessments for women in their forties and early fifties. Some clinicians are now examining whether earlier intervention through lifestyle adjustments or monitoring could improve long-term outcomes.

Researchers also emphasized that cardiovascular risk does not emerge uniformly among all women. Genetics, lifestyle habits, smoking history, exercise levels, nutrition, stress exposure, and preexisting conditions such as diabetes or hypertension continue to play substantial roles in determining individual outcomes.

Hormonal Transition Period Gains Attention in Women’s Health Research

Perimenopause has increasingly become a focus within women’s health research as physicians seek to better understand the wide range of physiological changes occurring during the transition to menopause. While many public discussions surrounding perimenopause focus on symptoms such as hot flashes, sleep disruption, and mood changes, researchers say cardiovascular health deserves equal attention.

The hormonal transition can last anywhere from several months to more than a decade depending on the individual. During that time, estrogen and progesterone levels fluctuate unpredictably, affecting multiple body systems beyond reproductive health.

Researchers involved in the cardiovascular study noted that many women may not recognize the connection between hormonal changes and heart health. Symptoms associated with cardiovascular strain can sometimes overlap with common perimenopausal experiences, making early detection more difficult without targeted medical evaluation.

Healthcare providers have also noted that women’s cardiovascular symptoms are frequently underrecognized or attributed to other causes. Fatigue, nausea, shortness of breath, jaw discomfort, and sleep disturbances may present differently than the chest pain traditionally associated with heart disease in men.

The latest findings also arrive during a period of broader attention to women’s midlife health. Increased public discussion surrounding menopause, workplace wellness, and preventive healthcare has contributed to greater visibility for conditions previously underdiscussed in mainstream health conversations.

Scientists continue studying how factors such as inflammation, vascular aging, and metabolic syndrome interact with hormonal changes during perimenopause. Additional research may help determine which women face the highest levels of cardiovascular risk and which interventions are most effective during the transition period.

Lifestyle and Preventive Care Remain Central to Risk Reduction

Cardiologists and women’s health specialists continue to recommend lifestyle interventions as a primary strategy for reducing cardiovascular disease risk. Regular physical activity, balanced nutrition, blood pressure management, smoking cessation, and consistent sleep patterns remain central recommendations for maintaining long-term heart health.

The study’s findings may encourage women and healthcare providers to begin cardiovascular discussions earlier than previously standard during midlife care appointments. Physicians increasingly recommend monitoring cholesterol levels, glucose levels, and blood pressure during the perimenopausal years, particularly for women with family histories of cardiovascular disease.

Exercise continues to play a significant role in supporting vascular function and metabolic health during hormonal transitions. Aerobic activity and strength training have both been associated with improved cardiovascular outcomes and better weight management during midlife.

Nutrition specialists also emphasize dietary patterns linked to reduced cardiovascular risk, including diets rich in vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, healthy fats, and fiber. Excessive consumption of processed foods, sodium, and added sugars remains associated with higher cardiovascular disease rates.

Stress management has also become a larger focus within women’s cardiovascular care. Chronic stress may contribute to inflammation, elevated blood pressure, and poor sleep quality, all of which can negatively affect heart health over time. Researchers continue exploring how psychological stress intersects with hormonal transitions during perimenopause.

Sleep quality has similarly emerged as an important area of study. Sleep disturbances commonly reported during perimenopause may indirectly affect cardiovascular outcomes through changes in metabolism, blood pressure regulation, and inflammation.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Readers should consult a qualified healthcare professional for personalized guidance regarding heart health, perimenopause, or any medical condition.

Custom-Fit Finally Gives Founders the Hiring Reality They Need

Women's Journal Staff on May 28, 2026

Custom-Fit lands like a conversation you did not know you needed, the kind that starts in the middle of a problem and refuses to let you walk away without facing it. It does not pretend hiring is a nice extra task. It makes it clear that hiring is the single hot wire in a small business, the thing that can short out an entire year of work or let your momentum build.

Reading it felt honest, a little harsh, and deeply useful. I got the sense that the author had sat through too many messy hires and decided to stop sugarcoating what actually happens when a business hires badly. That made the pages feel urgent. Sometimes I was uncomfortable. Sometimes I nodded along and thought yes, that is exactly how we waste time. The book did not offer soothing platitudes. It offered a steady, real voice that pushed me to rethink the way I describe roles, the way I look at people, the way I build a team.

The book is rooted in a theme that is simple but often ignored. Fit matters more than credentials. It is not enough for someone to look good on paper. The real question is whether they fit the work, the pace, the trust, and the specific chaos of this business today. That idea extends beyond any single industry because all teams are built from people who either add to the energy or pull it down. Custom-Fit turns hiring from a checklist into a choice about who the business wants to be.

There is also a strong theme of courage. Hiring slow and firing fast is not comfortable. Kate is clear that the easier path is usually the wrong one. She does not dance around firing. She does not pretend it is always a nice process. She says it is part of being responsible. That honesty makes the book feel alive. It is not polished HR messaging. It is someone speaking from experience, from the sharp end of small teams where a bad hire is not an abstract cost, it is a ruined week and a strained team.

The way the book is put together helps that rawness stay useful. It is structured around real decisions rather than vague theory. You can go to the page you need when the next hire is coming and find something that actually applies. The voice is direct without being rude. It is the kind of writing that makes you want to take notes. She gives examples in a way that feels practical and human, not like case studies invented for a course.

What also stands out is the author’s willingness to say that people and culture are not soft topics. She treats them as operational issues. That shift matters because in many business books those topics are wrapped in gentle language or shoved to the end. Here they are front and center, because in a small company they have to be.

The lasting impression is not that Custom-Fit is the final word on hiring. It is that it is a necessary course correction for anyone who has been flying by the seat of their pants. It is a reminder that choosing people is choosing the direction of the company. For founders who are tired of generic advice and want something that feels grounded in the real world, this book is worth the time. It is smart but not clever. It is practical but not boring. It is the kind of book you keep close when the next hire is about to happen.

Get your copy of Custom-Fit: A Straight-Talking Guide to Hiring Top Talent for Entrepreneurs & Small Business Owners on Amazon.

Three Years, One Stage: Trust, Music, and a Gala to Remember

Women's Journal Staff on May 28, 2026

There is a special kind of honor that comes not from a single invitation, but from being asked to return. Year after year, stage after stage, the message is clear: an artist’s work matters, their voice is needed, and their art has earned a place. For Xue Ding, that message was delivered loud and clear when she stepped onto the Staller Center stage for this year’s gala, her third consecutive year performing in this celebrated event.

When the Staller Center first invited Xue Ding, she was deeply honored. When they invited her a second time, she saw a pattern of mutual respect. But this third invitation felt like a statement. To be hired by the Staller Center for three years running is, in Xue Ding’s view, their clearest trust and approval of the quality of her music. In a world where classical musicians often compete for fleeting attention, long-term relationships with venues like the Staller Center are rare and precious. Each return is not just a booking; it is a vote of confidence from an institution that knows music intimately.

This year’s gala was made even more memorable by the presence of Stony Brook University’s new president, Andrea Goldsmith. Before the music began, President Goldsmith took the stage to deliver a speech that set the perfect tone for the evening. She spoke with warmth and vision, acknowledging the arts as a vital pillar of the community. Listening to her, Xue Ding felt a renewed sense of purpose. A leader who believes in music is a leader who believes in connection, emotion, and excellence. President Goldsmith’s words reminded everyone in the hall why they gather for events like this, not just to celebrate, but to reaffirm the place of beauty in shared life.

Then Xue played works by Boccherini, Mozart, and other enjoyable pieces from the classical repertoire. Boccherini’s music has a graceful, courtly elegance that never fails to draw listeners into a world of refined emotion. From there, she moved into Mozart, pieces that demand both precision and soul. Mozart, for Xue Ding, is always a conversation between discipline and freedom. Beyond Boccherini and Mozart, she also performed other classical pieces that she has cherished and refined over years of practice. Each note carried not just technical skill, but gratitude, for the Center’s trust, for the audience’s presence, and for the chance to do what she loves most.

Three consecutive years. That means three different programs, three different audiences, and yet one consistent thread: the belief that Xue Ding brings something worthy to the stage. The Staller Center could choose any musician, but they have chosen her repeatedly. That is not luck. It is trust. And trust, once earned, becomes the foundation of everything an artist builds.

At the end of the gala, she looked out at the gala attendees whom she had serenaded with her music, at the staff who worked tirelessly behind the scenes. She felt a quiet pride. Not the loud kind, but the deep kind that comes from knowing one’s work has been seen and valued. Three years. She hopes for many more. But even if this were the last, she would carry this truth with her: the Staller Center trusted Xue Ding’s music, and that trust has made her a better artist.

Xue Ding extends her heartfelt thanks to everyone who filled that gala with presence, appreciation for the art, and belief.

Until next year.