Marla Ahlgrimm on Heart Disease and Women

While heart disease is often thought of as a male-dominant health issue, it remains one of the leading causes of death among women, says Marla Ahlgrimm. It is frequently missed, however, because symptoms don't always fall into the “classic” warning signs that people expect. Understanding how heart disease looks different in women can help us recognize problems early and protect our long-term health.

Why Does Heart Disease Look Different In Women?

The simple answer is that the majority of early research on heart disease focused on men. Marla Ahlgrimm says that this resulted in a typical symptom profile being centered on biological males. Sudden chest pain with left arm pain, while not unheard of in women, tends to reflect a male heart problem pattern more than a female one.

Understanding the 2026 Healthcare Marketplace Price Surge | Marla Ahlgrimm

The healthcare landscape in 2026 has seen a dramatic shift, with many Americans opening their insurance renewal notices to find staggering price increases. For women, who statistically utilize healthcare services more frequently than men, these rising costs are more than just a budgetary nuisance; they represent a significant barrier to essential care. Understanding the mechanics behind these spikes is the first step in navigating a more expensive medical environment.

​Why Marketplace Prices Have Shot Up

​The primary driver behind the 2026 price surge is the expiration of federal premium tax credit enhancements. For the past several years, expanded subsidies made marketplace plans affordable for a wider range of income levels. With those enhancements gone, the net price paid by consumers has jumped significantly…in some cases, more than 10X the post-2020 price. Marla Ahlgrimm notes that when insurance becomes less affordable, women are often the first in a household to sacrifice their own medical needs to cover other family expenses.

Does Carbonated Water Hydrate As Well As Plain Water? | Marla Ahlgrimm

We all know that water is life, but not everybody likes the taste of plain old tap water. And with the creation of carbonated water or, even better, home carbonation systems, we can choose to dress up our drinks anyway we want. But is carbonated water as good for you as regular water? Marla Ahlgrimm says yes.

Women Need Water

Women, especially those of us at or past the age of 45, need to maintain healthy hydration levels. Marla Ahlgrimm says this not only supports metabolic and organ function but also helps keep our skin smooth and healthy. Drinking enough water can also aid in hormone balance, reduce bloating, prevent constipation, and increase satiety.

Hydration (Not Carbonation) Matters

If you don’t like the taste of plain water, never fear. Drinking carbonated water increases hydration the same as still water. The only difference is that there is carbon dioxide gas dissolved in the water. This doesn’t alter the water itself, but Marla Ahlgrimm says it can make it more drinkable, especially if you add a sugar-free fruity flavor.

Marla Ahlgrimm | How Overeating Affects Your Hormones

We are all guilty of overindulging on occasion. But Marla Ahlgrimm says that overeating frequently can actually disrupt the body's finely tuned hormonal balance. Read on for more information about excessive food intake and how it can trigger chemical responses you may not have considered.

Insulin And Blood Sugar

According to Marla Ahlgrimm, overeating foods that are high in sugar and refined carbs can lead to elevated insulin levels. Over time, this can cause insulin resistance, which forces the body to produce more insulin than it needs. Higher insulin levels then increase testosterone production, which is linked to polycystic ovary syndrome in women. Insulin resistance can also begin a vicious cycle of weight gain, fatigue, and trouble losing weight.

Marla Ahlgrimm: Your Changing Body

Perimenopause is the time in a woman's life when her body prepares to exit the childbearing stage forever. For many women, this is exciting, as it opens up greater freedoms both within their intimate relationships and with themselves, as they no longer have to worry about impending motherhood. But, Marla Ahlgrimm says that it also brings body discomfort and a sense of stress from being unable to reclaim a youthful figure.

What Causes Physical Changes During Perimenopause

According to Marla Ahlgrimm, the vast majority of physical changes come from hormonal fluctuations. During perimenopause, hormones are not on a steady decline, per se, but may fluctuate wildly as her body struggles to end its reproductive role. Decreasing levels of estrogen and progesterone and this rollercoaster of hormone fluctuations can directly impact the body composition and therefore a woman's comfort with her physique.

Marla Ahlgrimm: Combat Aging Skin During Pre-Menopause

Women of all ages can experience skin concerns, but Marla Ahlgrimm says those of us in the pre-menopausal stage are more likely to notice a rapid change in texture and fullness, especially on the face. But what do we do when we don't want to let go of our youth? Keep reading as Marla Ahlgrimm explains how derma rolling and microneedling may help some women combat the signs of aging.

Pre-menopause and Skin

Many women see significant changes in their skin during the pre-menopausal years. This is due to fluctuations and the eventual decline of estrogen. Marla Ahlgrimm explains that, while skin ages naturally over time, the hormone shifts of perimenopause can accelerate and exacerbate these changes.

Collagen and Elastin Loss

Before Marla Ahlgrimm goes further into potential treatments, she says it's important to further explain why perimenopause causes changes so suddenly. She explains that it's because of the reduction in estrogen, which is crucial for the production of collagen and elastin. These two proteins are primarily responsible for the skin's firmness, plumpness, and elasticity. 

Marla Ahlgrimm: What a CBC Might Reveal During Perimenopause

As a woman approaches her mid-40s, she may enter perimenopause, the transitional time of life when hormonal changes trigger the end of her reproductive years. According to Marla Ahlgrimm, there are many symptoms associated with perimenopause, and a doctor may recommend a complete blood count (CBC) test. 

But why?  Simply put, this test offers a detailed look at the different components of a woman's blood and can provide valuable insights into her well-being during this transition.

What Is a CBC?

Marla Ahlgrimm explains that a CBC test measures the quantity and characteristics of the three main types of cells in the blood: red, white, and platelets. Each of these components can tell a doctor a different story about what's happening inside a woman's body.

Red Blood Cells

Red blood cells are responsible for carrying oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body. Marla Ahlgrimm explains that during perimenopause, some women may experience heavy menstrual bleeding, which can potentially lead to iron-deficiency anemia. Anemia, a condition where the body does not have enough healthy red blood cells, can cause symptoms such as fatigue, weakness, and dizziness—symptoms that can be mistaken for perimenopause itself.

A CBC test measures hemoglobin and other indicators of red blood cell health. Marla Ahlgrimm says this can help a doctor determine if a woman's fatigue is caused by anemia and whether iron supplements or dietary changes might help.

White Blood Cells

White blood cells are the body's primary defenders against infection and inflammation. Marla Ahlgrimm says that high white blood cell levels might indicate an underlying infection or an inflammatory condition, both of which can have symptoms similar to those of perimenopause. Therefore, a CBC test can help a woman and her healthcare team detect these issues. Marla Ahlgrimm also says that checking the white blood cell count can help ensure that a woman's body is ready to effectively fight off illnesses as she gets older.

Platelets

According to Marla Ahlgrimm, platelets are tiny cells that play a vital role in blood clotting. As a woman's hormones fluctuate during perimenopause, her platelet levels may change, which could affect her body's ability to clot blood properly. An unusual platelet count can indicate a woman's risk for excessive bleeding or clotting. For a woman with heavy menstrual periods, knowing her platelet count is important for managing her symptoms and ensuring her safety.

Marla Ahlgrimm says that a CBC test can also reveal other important health information. By looking at a woman's blood through this test, a doctor can help differentiate between symptoms that are a natural part of the perimenopause transition and those that might indicate an underlying health condition. As a diagnostic tool, a CBC is a relatively quick, inexpensive, and invaluable way of understanding a woman's health. This simple blood test may not be all that's needed to make informed decisions about perimenopause care, but it is a powerful tool that should not be overlooked.