The Truth About Cholesterol, Estrogen & Heart Attacks After 40
(00:00)
Dr. Tabatha: We villainize cholesterol and act like it's the reason for heart disease—but it's not. It’s the initial tear in the artery wall caused by inflammation and a lack of estrogen. That’s the real root cause. Welcome back to the Fast to Faith podcast! If you're a woman in midlife trying to figure out why your heart and health feel different lately, you're in the right place.
(00:35)
Dr. Tabatha: As women over 40, we start worrying about things we never used to—like heart health. And with good reason. Heart disease is the number one killer of women, and it doesn't show up overnight. The groundwork for that heart attack at 56? It probably started at 40.
(03:10)
Dr. Tabatha: Let’s talk about what’s really happening. Estrogen keeps your arteries elastic. When estrogen drops, your arteries stiffen—like pipes—and your blood pressure rises. It’s not random. It’s a natural response to the hormone shifts in perimenopause and menopause.
(05:29)
Dr. Tabatha: Now let’s zoom in on the gut. If you've ever heard of leaky gut, get ready for leaky arteries. Inflammation from your gut travels through your bloodstream and damages the lining of your arteries. Your body sends cholesterol to patch the damage—but if the inflammation doesn’t stop, those patches pile up. That’s plaque.
(08:06)
Dr. Tabatha: Healing starts with awareness. I used to grab whatever food I could between meetings or picking up the kids—half a donut here, a soda there. I didn’t think it mattered. But it was quietly fueling inflammation and stress in my body. Keeping a food journal changed everything for me.
(11:59)
Dr. Tabatha: Here's something most people miss—your liver plays a huge role in heart health. When your liver is overwhelmed by toxins, alcohol, and processed foods, it can’t do its job. And that directly affects your cardiovascular system. Loving your liver is loving your heart.
(13:18)
Dr. Tabatha: Let’s not forget movement. Your muscles act like pumps, helping return blood to your heart. If you’re not moving, your heart is doing all the work. And that leads to fatigue, poor circulation, and higher risk for arrhythmias. Walking, lifting, stretching—it all matters.
(15:26)
Dr. Tabatha: If you want to lower your cardiovascular risk, balance your hormones, and feel amazing again, I’d love to see you inside Fast to Faith. It’s our 40-day program that teaches you how to heal your gut, reverse inflammation, and start burning fat for fuel—physically and spiritually.
(16:08)
Dr. Tabatha: Now that you know what’s really behind women’s heart disease, let’s talk about another sneaky midlife symptom—low stomach acid. Could it be the reason behind your bloating, fatigue, and cravings? Click here to find out.