Heart disease is the leading cause of death for women, and Dr. Tabatha says the groundwork for a heart attack can begin around age 40, even if it doesn’t show up for decades. In this episode she challenges a long-held belief: “We villainize cholesterol and act like it’s the reason for heart disease, but it’s not.”
What Actually Starts the Damage
According to Dr. Tabatha, the initial problem is a tear in the artery wall, driven by inflammation and low estrogen. Cholesterol shows up afterward, sent to patch the damage. If the inflammation keeps going, those patches build up over time as plaque.
Why Estrogen Matters for Your Heart
Estrogen helps keep arteries flexible. “When estrogen drops, your arteries stiffen, like pipes, and your blood pressure rises.” That’s one reason heart risk changes for women during perimenopause and menopause.
The Gut-Heart Connection
“Inflammation from your gut travels through your bloodstream and damages the lining of your arteries.” Dr. Tabatha describes this as a kind of “leaky arteries” effect. Healing the gut and lowering inflammation is one of the most important things you can do for your heart.
Small Choices Add Up
Dr. Tabatha shares that she used to grab food between meetings and pickups, like half a donut or a soda, and assumed it didn’t matter. Keeping a food journal changed everything. It showed her how those quick choices were adding inflammation and stress to her body.
Love Your Liver
An overwhelmed liver, burdened by toxins, alcohol, and processed foods, can’t do its job well, and that affects your cardiovascular system. Her memorable line: “Loving your liver is loving your heart.”
Move Your Body
Your muscles help push blood back to your heart. Inactivity can lead to fatigue, poor circulation, and a higher risk of irregular heart rhythms. Walking, lifting, and stretching all help. (See why exercise isn’t working after 40 for how to move in a way that supports your hormones.)
Protect Your Heart Starting Today
- Keep a food journal for a week and notice patterns.
- Focus on healing your gut and lowering inflammation.
- Support your liver by limiting alcohol, toxins, and processed foods.
- Move daily: walk, lift, and stretch.
- If you’re in perimenopause or menopause, talk with your provider about your hormones and heart health together.
Related reading: blood sugar balance for women.
Your next step: If this episode spoke to you, start the 5-Day Empowered by Faith Challenge and take your first faith-filled step toward healing, with Scripture, simple daily actions, and a community of women walking the same road.
This article summarizes a Fast to Faith podcast episode and is for education only. It is not medical advice. Talk with your own healthcare provider before changing medications, supplements, or your care plan.
Listen to the Full Episode
Stop Blaming Cholesterol: The Real Reason Women Over 40 Are Having Heart Attacks
In this empowering episode, I break down the surprising truth behind why heart disease is the #1 killer of women—and why cholesterol isn’t the villain we’ve been told it is. From estrogen loss and inflammation to gut health and liver overload, I unpack how our bodies change in midlife and what we can do to take back control.
You’ll learn how symptoms like fatigue, varicose veins, and even mood swings can be early warning signs of cardiovascular dysfunction—and how healing your gut, loving your liver, and building muscle can completely transform your risk. If you’re over 40, navigating perimenopause or menopause, and wondering why you suddenly feel off—this is your wake-up call to start nourishing your body like it deserves.
If you liked this episode, watch it on YouTube! 👉🏻 https://youtu.be/VYkTGzPaG7w
0:00 – Cholesterol Is Not the Problem
0:35 – Why Heart Disease Hits Women Hard After 40
5:29 – Gut Health, Inflammation, and Leaky Arteries
11:59 – The Surprising Heart-Liver Connection
13:18 – Why Movement Matters More Than You Think
15:26 – Simple Daily Steps to Lower Your Risk Naturally
If this episode opened your eyes, send it to a sister, friend, or mama who needs a reminder that her heart—and her health—deserve just as much love as she gives to everyone else. 💗
The Transcript:
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.
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