The risk of cardiovascular disease increases with age for most people, but this may be even more true for women. The transition to menopause, the years leading up to and through menopause, is a time of increasing risk for cardiovascular disease, according to a scientific statement from the American Heart Association published in the flagship journal Circulation in 2020.
While many people think breast cancer is the leading cause of death among women in the US, heart disease actually kills more people than all forms of cancer combined. Every year, one in 39 women in the US die from breast cancer, while 1 in 3 die from cardiovascular disease. That’s roughly one death every minute – and we know that menopause plays a major role in women’s risk of cardiovascular disease.”
Garima Sharma, MD, FAHA, American Heart Association volunteer
Sharma notes that women at every stage of life face unique risks related to cardiovascular health. The years before and after menopause are a crucial time to be aware of and address the increased risks associated with heart disease and stroke.
“Menopause is a natural stage of life for most women in their 40s or 50s, but it’s never too early to learn how the significant hormonal and physiological changes affect your heart health, even in your younger years. Entering menopause can reduce later risks,” says Sharma, director of cardiovascular health and women’s cardio-obstetrics at Inova Health System in Fairfax, Virginia.
A number of studies presented at the scientific meetings of the American Heart Association or published in the Association’s medical journals point to the increased risk of cardiovascular disease and other health complications during different stages of menopause:
- After menopause, an estimated 1 in 4 women may develop irregular heart rhythms during their lifetime – known as atrial fibrillation – with stressful life events and insomnia being major factors, according to a study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association (JAHA). .
- Another JAHA study found that obesity significantly increased the risk of heart failure in women experiencing late menopause – at age 55 or older,
- A study presented at the Association’s 2022 Epidemiology, Prevention, Lifestyle & Cardiometabolic Health Conference (EPI) found that women who entered menopause naturally at age 40 had a 40% increased risk of developing coronary heart disease during their lifetime, compared with women who have not experienced early menopause.
- A separate study presented at the 2021 EPI meeting found that women who go through a very early menopause were 35% more likely to develop a form of dementia later in life, compared to women who went through the menopause around age 50. come into menopause.
- Another 2021 EPI meeting study found that social isolation and loneliness can increase the risk of cardiovascular disease in postmenopausal women by 29%.
Sharma noted that menopause does not cause cardiovascular disease; However, during the transition to menopause, women experience many changes in their bodies, including some that can affect their cardiovascular health:
- Decrease in estrogen levels
- Hot flashes and night sweats
- Depression
- Sleep problems
- Increased body fat around the organs
- Increased cholesterol levels
- Strengthening or weakening of the blood vessels
“More women in the US are living longer, and a significant portion of them will spend up to 40% of their lives after menopause, so it is important to monitor a woman’s health and lifestyle and develop intervention strategies to reduce protect heart health,” Sharma said. “Solutions will not be one size fits all. This is an area where there is a great need for personalized, preventive cardiology care for women, aimed at lowering cardiovascular risk.”
The American Heart Association, which observes 100 years of lifesaving services as the world’s leading nonprofit organization focused on heart and brain health for all, offers important tips for improving your heart health before, during, and after menopause:
- Follow Life’s Essential 8™ to know and monitor your health metrics.
- Exercise regularly
- Eat a healthy diet
- Ensure healthy sleep
- Focus on your mental well-being
Learn more about menopause and women’s cardiovascular health at Heart.org.
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