High blood pressure (hypertension) is often called the “silent killer” because it typically has no symptoms, yet it’s the greatest risk factor for Australia’s top three killers — coronary heart disease, stroke, and dementia.

This quiet threat sneaks up on 1 in 3 Australians, but only half of them know about it, and only a third have it under control.

When it comes to menopause and perimenopause, there’s a lot going on beneath the surface — far more than hot flashes and mood swings might suggest. While the outward signs can be disruptive, hormonal shifts affect everything from bones and heart health to metabolism, muscle tone, and mental wellbeing.

It's okay to feel a bit off-kilter as our bodies go through the right of passage that is menopause. Exercise can be our guiding light. Here’s why: