The female heart: Navigating hormones, menopause, cholesterol and metabolism (event recording)

How hormonal shifts, cholesterol changes and metabolic health impact cardiovascular risk

Heart disease remains the leading cause of death for women, yet many are unaware of the unique risks they face — especially during midlife and beyond. Main Line Health's Women's Heart Initiative hosted an educational event that brought together leading experts to discuss the evolving cardiovascular risks women face across the menopause transition, the role of metabolic health in heart disease and the latest advancements in cholesterol management. Attendees gained valuable insights into personalized prevention strategies, lifestyle modifications and emerging treatment options that support lifelong heart health.

Watch the full event recording:

Our team of clinical experts delivered insightful presentations on some of the most pressing and timely topics in women's cardiovascular health, including:

Lipids and cholesterol after menopause

Erik Kelly, MD
Preventive Cardiologist, Main Line Health

• Explain why LDL cholesterol increases after menopause and its impact on heart disease risk.
• Define lipoprotein(a) and its role in cardiovascular health.
• Understand coronary calcium scoring and how it informs risk assessment.
• Review novel, non-statin cholesterol treatments and their clinical applications.

GLP-1 medications and cardiovascular implications

Sarah Klein, CRNP
Comprehensive Weight and Wellness Center, Main Line Health

• Define obesity as a chronic disease and its impact on cardiovascular health.
• Examine the role of nutrition, lifestyle and medication management in obesity-related heart disease.
• Discuss the benefits of GLP-1 and GLP-1/GIP therapy in weight and cardiovascular risk management.

Perimenopause, hormones and women's heart health

Chrisandra L. Shufelt, MD
Women's Health Specialist, Mayo Clinic

• Discuss how cardiovascular risk changes across the menopause transition.
• Explain the role of estrogen and hormonal shifts in heart health.
• Identify strategies for personalizing heart disease prevention in midlife women.

Next steps:

Learn more about Main Line Health's Women's Heart Initiative
Schedule an appointment with a cardiologist
Learn more about heart care at Main Line Health