The Importance of Heart Health and Nutrition for Women As They Age

The Positive Pause

May 20, 2026 ∙ 41 mins

About

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in women, yet awareness is still surprisingly low. In this episode of The Positive Pause®, host Claire Gill sits down with two of NMF’s Medical Advisory Committee (MAC) members, Dr. Emily Lau, a cardiologist specializing in women’s cardiovascular health, and Michelle Routhenstein, a preventive cardiology dietitian, to unpack why midlife is a critical window for prevention and what women can do to take control of their heart health.

They explore how menopause changes cardiovascular risk, why heart disease often goes unnoticed, and how small, sustainable lifestyle changes can have a major impact.

Emily Lau, MD, MPH a women’s cardiovascular health specialist and investigator at Mass General Brigham. Dr. Lau co-directs the Women’s Heart Health Program. Dr. Lau’s laboratory focuses on understanding how biologic sex differences and female-specific cardiovascular risk factors contribute to the pathogenesis of cardiovascular disease uniquely in women. 

Michelle Routhenstein, MS, RD, CDCES, CDN, is the owner and president of Entirely Nourished LLC, a specialized private practice in nutrition counseling and consulting focused on the prevention and management of heart disease. Employing a science-based, holistic approach, she is dedicated to enhancing women's heart health by addressing cardiometabolic risk factors and mitigating the likelihood of cardiovascular issues as individuals age.

Key Concepts Covered

  • Midlife is a turning point for heart health
    Cardiovascular risk accelerates during and after menopause, making this stage of life a critical opportunity for prevention.
  • Heart disease is often silent and under-recognized
    Many women don’t realize there’s an issue because symptoms aren’t obvious. At the same time, awareness has actually declined in recent years, which makes education even more important.
  • Health goes beyond weight and appearance
    You can look healthy and still have underlying cardiovascular risk. That’s why personalized testing and understanding your numbers matters.
  • Sustainable habits matter more than extreme changes
    Instead of restrictive diets or drastic routines, small consistent improvements in nutrition, movement, sleep, and stress management lead to better long-term outcomes.
  • Prevention is the real opportunity
    Midlife isn’t just a time of change; it’s a chance to take control. With the right approach, most cardiovascular risk factors can be improved or prevented.

This conversation makes one thing clear: heart health isn’t something women can afford to ignore, especially at midlife. The good news is that most risk factors are preventable and manageable with the right information and consistent action. By focusing on sustainable habits and understanding your personal risk, you can take control of your cardiovascular health and build a stronger future.

Connect with Dr. Lau:

Connect with Michelle:

Information

Episode

43

Date

May 20, 2026

Length

41 mins
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The Positive Pause

Our motivational-minded podcast covers topics women want to know about as they journey to and through menopause. We cover topics that impact women’s health and healthy aging, including what it means to age healthfully. Hosted by the National Menopause Foundation’s Founder & President, Claire Gill.

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