Women are not simply small men - we often experience medical events differently to our male counterparts. This week I’m talking to Sam Palmer, about the risks and symptoms of heart attacks. Sam explained that once we lose the protection oestrogen provides, our risk of heart disease rises. Sam listed the risk factors:

• Smoking
• Obesity
• Hypertension (high blood pressure)
• Raised Cholesterol
• Elevated stress levels
• Poor sleep

Sam runs an online fitness program for women in midlife and beyond (which I can personally recommend!) and advocates raising your heart rate for 20-30 minutes regularly AND practising restorative exercise, such as yoga to calm you down. Eat the rainbow - as many different and plentiful fruits and vegetables you can fit into your day - avoid excessive salt, saturated fats and processed foods as far as possible, but eat “good” fats like avocados and nuts and plenty of protein.

About Sam
Sam’s career started in the NHS where she qualified as a nurse eventually working as a Sister in NeoNatal Intensive Care. An award winning running coach, she underwent further training to help her clients, eventually founding Midlife Makeover. Find out about her online fitness membership here: https://www.midlifemakeover.co.uk/
 
About the Midlife and Beyond Podcast
Like all transitions, midlife can be messy and sad and glorious all at once, leaving many midlife women feeling rather alone and somewhat invisible. But what does this transition we are experiencing lead to? 
I'm Jo Blackwell, a photographer, author and coach for women who want more from their lives post 50 and I'm here to remind you that if we manage our health and embrace it, growing older can lead to one of the greatest periods of growth and transformation of our lives.
The Midlife Movement was created to change minds about midlife and growing older, one story at a time. Because we only become invisible when when we stop seeing ourselves. email jo@joblackwell.co.uk to take part in the podcast or suggest guests.
See The Midlife & Beyond section of my website for more information and resources to help you navigate change with less stress and more joy! www.joblackwell.co.uk