Women’s Health and Nutrition in February: Going Deeper Than Heart Month

February is American Heart Month, and the focus on cardiovascular disease in women has never been more warranted. Heart disease is the leading cause of death in women — responsible for one in every five female deaths according to the CDC — yet women are significantly less likely than men to receive timely diagnosis and treatment. Part of the problem is that cardiovascular disease presents differently in women: symptoms are often subtler, risk factors less recognized and the protective effect of estrogen in premenopausal years can mask emerging risk that erupts suddenly at menopause.

Beyond heart health, February is a meaningful time to address the broader landscape of women’s nutritional needs across the lifespan. Premenopausal women have elevated iron needs that many do not meet — iron deficiency anemia affects up to 18 percent of women of reproductive age in the United States. Perimenopausal and postmenopausal women face accelerated bone loss, increased cardiovascular risk and metabolic shifts that respond well to specific dietary strategies, including higher calcium and vitamin D intake, reduced sodium and increased fiber.

With clinical training in women’s health, we approach each client’s care with an understanding of how hormonal status shapes nutritional needs at every life stage. Whether you are navigating fertility nutrition, a PCOS diagnosis, perimenopause or heart disease prevention, individualized dietary guidance can make a profound difference. NutriGreene welcomes clients at every stage of the women’s health journey.

Sources

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Women and heart disease. CDC.gov. 2024.

• American Heart Association. Go Red for Women: cardiovascular disease in women. Heart.org. 2024.

Ready to take the next step in your nutrition journey? Schedule an appointment at NutriGreene today. www.nutrigreene.com | (203) 429-4211 | info@nutrigreene.com