Menopause marks a major biological transition, and its timing may carry deeper
implications than previously thought…
While most women experience menopause between ages 45 and 55, emerging research reveals that earlier onset may significantly increase the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) – the leading cause of death among women globally.
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The age of menopause and cardiovascular risk: What studies show…
Menopause is defined as the permanent cessation of menstruation for 12 consecutive months due to the natural decline in ovarian function…
This leads to a sharp drop in oestrogen, a hormone that plays a protective role in maintaining:
* Vascular elasticity
* Healthy cholesterol levels
* Anti-inflammatory responses
When oestrogen levels fall, the cardiovascular system becomes more vulnerable to damage, especially if menopause occurs prematurely.
A large cohort study published in Heart journal analysed data from over 46,000 women aged 45+ over a 15-year period… These were the major findings:
* Women with premature menopause (<40 years) had a 36% higher risk of developing cardiovascular disease.
* Those with early menopause (40-44 years) had a 15% higher risk compared to women who experienced menopause between 50-52 years.
* Importantly, women with high lifestyle adherence (healthy diet, exercise, sleep, no smoking) had 52% lower odds of cardiovascular disease even if they had premature menopause.
In another cross-sectional study, named the Rafsanjan Cohort Study, involving 1,767 postmenopausal women found that:
* Women with menopause before age 40 had 2.66 times higher odds of developing cardiovascular disease.
* Induced menopause (via surgery or chemotherapy) also increased risk compared to natural menopause.
And the InterLACE Consortium pooled data from 203,767 women across 10 international studies The researchers found:
* Surgical menopause before age 35 increased cardiovascular disease risk by 155% compared to natural menopause at 50-54 years.
* Even natural menopause before age 40 was linked to significantly higher risk of coronary heart disease and stroke
Keep reading…
You cannot choose the age menopause hits, but there is good news for those women for whom it comes early…
According to the 45 and Up Study:
Women with premature menopause who followed a healthy lifestyle had 52% lower odds of developing cardiovascular disease.
Key factors included:
* No smoking
* Regular physical activity
* Balanced diet
* Adequate sleep
* Reduced sedentary time
Menopause is more than a reproductive milestone – it’s a cardiovascular checkpoint. Women who experience menopause before age 45 should:
* Get early cardiovascular screening
* Monitor blood pressure, cholesterol, and glucose
* Consider hormone therapy under medical guidance
* Prioritise heart-healthy habits
References:
https://heart.bmj.com/content/111/6/262
https://bmcwomenshealth.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12905-024-03452-x
https://academic.oup.com/humrep/article/35/8/1933/5860261?login=false
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