Cardiovascular Risk in Midlife Women: Insulin Resistance, Inflammation & Heart Health Part 1
Empowers women to move beyond one-size-fits-all advice and take a proactive, informed approach to protecting their heart health for the long term.
Cardiovascular Risk in Midlife Women: Insulin Resistance, Inflammation & Heart Health Part 1
Empowers women to move beyond one-size-fits-all advice and take a proactive, informed approach to protecting their heart health for the long term.
In this episode, Kate Willis, NP-C, alongside Dr. Polly Watson, discusses cardiovascular risk in midlife women and how to interpret advanced lab markers beyond a standard cholesterol panel. Kate highlights the importance of individualized risk assessment—looking at patterns like insulin resistance, inflammation, oxidative stress, atherogenic lipid burden, and methylation impairment rather than relying on “normal” lab ranges alone.
“Half of people who have a heart attack have a normal LDL cholesterol,” says Dr. Polly Watson.
The episode covers statins, supplements, and lifestyle interventions for reducing heart disease risk. Dr. Watson and Kate shed light on the importance of a both-and approach—prioritizing strength training, blood sugar stabilization, and targeted supplementation while also understanding when evidence-based pharmacology, such as statins, may be appropriate.
Watch The Conversation!
In this episode, Kate Willis, NP-C, alongside Dr. Polly Watson, discusses cardiovascular risk in midlife women and how to interpret advanced lab markers beyond a standard cholesterol panel. Kate highlights the importance of individualized risk assessment—looking at patterns like insulin resistance, inflammation, oxidative stress, atherogenic lipid burden, and methylation impairment rather than relying on “normal” lab ranges alone.
“Half of people who have a heart attack have a normal LDL cholesterol,” says Dr. Polly Watson.
The episode covers statins, supplements, and lifestyle interventions for reducing heart disease risk. Dr. Watson and Kate shed light on the importance of a both-and approach—prioritizing strength training, blood sugar stabilization, and targeted supplementation while also understanding when evidence-based pharmacology, such as statins, may be appropriate.
Learn why markers such as ApoB, Lp(a), homocysteine, uric acid, fasting insulin, and triglycerides provide deeper insight than LDL alone, and why “normal” lab ranges don’t always reflect optimal health.
Quotes:
- “The norms on labs are developed looking at populations. They are not developed necessarily looking at healthy populations.” – Kate Willis, NP
- “If you are not paying attention to your cardiovascular risk factors at midlife, you’re missing a huge opportunity. Heart disease is the most common killer of women in the United States and globally.” – Dr. Polly Watson
- “Insulin resistance is an area where we have so much agency. This is one that really responds to nutrition and lifestyle changes.” – Kate Willis, NP
- “Half of people who have a heart attack have a normal LDL cholesterol. Looking at other markers is so important because we’re missing half the people.” – Dr. Polly Watson
Resources:
Resources: https://hormonewellnessmd.com/podcast-resources
Disclaimer: https://hormonewellnessmd.com/podcast#Disclaimer
Meet the host!
Meet the Guest Speaker!
Kate Willis, NP-C, IFMCP is a virtual nurse practitioner for Hormone Wellness MD. She’s been working in women’s health for 15 years in the field of gynecologic oncology and sexual wellness.
In 2021, Kate received her certification through the Institute for Functional Medicine (IFM), and is thankful for such solid and evidence-based training. She uses it daily in her care for patients as she works to address the root cause of disease and dysfunction in the body. As of 2024, she is also a Menopause Society Certified nurse practitioner who is ready to help with your perimenopause and menopause questions. Click here to become a patient!
Meet the host!
Meet the Guest!
Kate Willis, NP-C, IFMCP is a virtual nurse practitioner for Hormone Wellness MD. She’s been working in women’s health for 15 years in the field of gynecologic oncology and sexual wellness.
In 2021, Kate received her certification through the Institute for Functional Medicine (IFM), and is thankful for such solid and evidence-based training. She uses it daily in her care for patients as she works to address the root cause of disease and dysfunction in the body. As of 2024, she is also a Menopause Society Certified nurse practitioner who is ready to help with your perimenopause and menopause questions. Click here to become a patient!
