Cardiovascular Disease

“Cardiovascular disease (CVD), also called heart
and circulatory disease, is the general name for
conditions that affect your heart or circulation”.1

Umbrella

What may the Menopause and Cardiovascular Disease Umbrella include?

Depending on the Source (DotS) this Umbrella may include:

  • Cardiovascular Conditions
  • Cardiovascular Disease/s (CVD/CVDs)
  • Cardiovascular Disorders
  • Diseases/Disorders of the Heart and Blood Vessels
  • Diseases/Disorders of the Heart and Circulatory System
  • Heart Disease/s
  • Heart and Circulatory Disease
  • Stroke

Cardiovascular Disease

What is cardiovascular disease (CVD)?

DotS the definition of CVD may vary. In Cardiovascular Disease the British Heart Foundation’s (BHF) definition is:

“Cardiovascular disease (CVD), also called heart and circulatory disease, is the general name for conditions that affect your heart or circulation. These include high blood pressure, stroke and vascular dementia”.2

Cardiovascular Diseases

What are cardiovascular diseases (CVDs)?

DotS the definition of CVDs may vary. In Cardiovascular Diseases (CVDs): Overview the World Health Organization’s (WHO) definition is:

“Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are a group of disorders of the heart and blood vessels and they include:

  • Coronary heart disease – a disease of the blood vessels supplying the heart muscle
  • Cerebrovascular disease – a disease of the blood vessels supplying the brain
  • Peripheral arterial disease – a disease of blood vessels supplying the arms and legs
  • Rheumatic heart disease – damage to the heart muscle and heart valves from rheumatic fever, caused by streptococcal bacteria
  • Congenital heart disease – birth defects that affect the normal development and functioning of the heart caused by malformations of the heart structure from birth; and
  • Deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism – blood clots in the leg veins, which can dislodge and move to the heart and lungs”.3

Cardiovascular DiseaseCardiovascular DiseaseAfter Menopause

After menopause can women have an increased risk of CVD?

In Heart Health: Cardiovascular Disease the (United States) Menopause Society (formerly the North American Menopause Society) explain:

“The risk for CVD in women increases with age such as it does in men, but the increase starts a little later in women. Most CVD in women occurs during the years after menopause. Cholesterol levels have been found to increase in the early years after menopause. Of note, premature menopause is an established risk factor for CVD”.4

Risk Factors

What are CVD risk factors?

In Cardiovascular Disease: Cardiovascular Risk Factors the BHF elaborate on:

“Risk factors are conditions or habits that increase your risk of developing a condition. The more you have, the higher your chance of cardiovascular disease.

There are several risk factors for cardiovascular disease, including:

  • Smoking
  • Stress
  • Alcohol
  • High blood pressure
  • High blood cholesterol
  • Not being active
  • Being overweight or obese
  • Diabetes
  • Family history of heart disease
  • Your ethnic background
  • Your sex – men are more likely to get CVD earlier than women
  • Your age – the older you are, the more likely you are to get CVD”.5

Risk Factors for Women

What are CVD risk factors for women?

In Menopause and Cardiovascular Disease Risk: Does Menopause Increase A Woman’s Risk of Heart Disease and Stroke? the (United States) Go Red for Women elaborate on:

“Cardiovascular risk factors that every woman should know about include:

  • Age at the time of menopause…
  • The cause and timing of menopause…
  • Estrogen…
  • Hot flashes and night sweats…
  • Depression and sleep problems…
  • Increased visceral fat…
  • Cholesterol levels and metabolic syndrome risk…”.6

Prevention

How may CVD be prevented?

In Prevention: What Can You Do To Lower Your Risk of Cardiovascular Disease? the World Heart Federation explain and elaborate on:

  1. “Eat a healthy and balanced diet…
  2. Exercise regularly…
  3. Maintain a healthy body weight…
  4. Avoid tobacco use…
  5. Avoid alcohol…
  6. Know your numbers…
  7. Take your medication as prescribed…
  8. Know the warning signs…”.7

WISEWOMAN Program

What is the WISEWOMAN program?

Your Country may have a program similar to the (United States) WISEWOMAN Program. In WISEWOMAN Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): What Is the WISEWOMAN Program? the (United States) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) elaborate on:

“WISEWOMAN extends preventive health services to achieve optimal cardiovascular health for participants of the CDC-funded National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program (NBCCEDP). The program helps participants understand and reduce their risk of cardiovascular disease and benefit from early detection and treatment”.8 

What services does the WISEWOMAN program fund?

The CDC explain:

“WISEWOMAN provides risk factor assessments, including blood pressure, diabetes, body mass index (BMI), and cholesterol screenings. The program also provides referrals to healthy behavior support services to reduce CVD risks through improved diet, physical activity, tobacco cessation, and medication adherence support. Local health departments, doctor’s offices, and community health centers provide these services”.9 

Know Your Numbers

What numbers do women (and men) need to know?

In Know Your Numbers It Could Just Save Your Life Go Red for Women elaborate on:

“Talk to your health care provider today about your numbers, what they mean, and how you can manage them. Your heart and well-being depend on it”.10

Health Care Provider

What if I think I have CVD or I have a family history of CVD?

If you think you have CVD or you have a family history of CVD, it may be in your best interest to choose to talk to your health care provider about this

In Menopause and Cardiovascular Disease Risk: Does Menopause Increase A Woman’s Risk of Heart Disease and Stroke? Go Red for Women note:

“Talk to your health care team about your risk factors and how to prevent cardiovascular disease before, during and after menopause”.12

Health Topics A-Z

Where may I find Health Topics A-Z related to Cardiovascular Disease?

In Health Topics A-Z you may find:

Health Topics A-Z

Links

Where may I find Links related to Cardiovascular Disease?

Your Country may have Links similar to:

Links

This Links List to third party websites is neither comprehensive nor exhaustive. Inclusion on this Links List does not imply endorsement or recommendation. Non-inclusion on this Links List does not imply non-endorsement or non-recommendation. Third party websites are not under the control of Meno Martha International Menopause Directory. Third party websites may contain explicit medical images and/or sexual references. Please read Meno Martha International Menopause Directory’s Links Policy before proceeding to a Link. Please contact Webmaster if you experience a problem with a Link.

New or Updated

  1. About Stroke
  2. American Heart Association
  3. American Stroke Association
  4. Answers By Heart Fact Sheets: Cardiovascular Conditions
  5. Aspirin Use To Prevent Cardiovascular Disease US Preventive Services Task Force Recommendation Statement
  6. BMS TV: Coronary Heart Disease (CHD)
  7. Cardiosmart.org [CardioSmart, American College of Cardiology
  8. Cardiovascular Diseases (CVDs)
  9. Cardiovascular Health After Menopause Transition, Pregnancy Disorders, and Other Gynaecologic Conditions: A Consensus Document From European Cardiologists, Gynaecologists, and Endocrinologists
  10. Cardiovascular Health: Risks & Causes – What To Do Next?
  11. Cardiovascular Health: Symptoms of Heart Attack & Stroke In Women
  12. Cardiovascular Disease
  13. Cardiovascular Disease: Cardiovascular Risk Factors
  14. Chagas Disease
  15. Consumer Video and Podcast Series: 2023 Consumer Videos and Podcasts – Menopause and Heart Disease
  16. Coronary Heart Disease: Women and Heart Disease
  17. Diabetes
  18. Diabetes and Heart Disease
  19. Different Heart Diseases
  20. Doctor Appointments: Questions To Ask Your Doctor
  21. Doing These 8 Things May Greatly Lower Risk for Heart Disease and Stroke
  22. Family History
  23. Get Familiar With Signs of A Heart Attack or Stroke
  24. Getting Serious About Heart Health
  25. Goredforwomen.org [Go Red for Women, United States]
  26. Guidance on Menopausal Hormone Therapy
  27. Healthy Body: Top 10 Healthy Heart Tips
  28. Healthy Diet
  29. Healthy Lifestyle
  30. Healthy Living
  31. Heart Attack and Stroke Symptoms: Warnings Signs of Heart Attack, Stroke & Cardiac Arrest
  32. Heart Disease In African American Women
  33. Heart Disease and Stroke In Women
  34. Heart Disease: It’s Not Just for Men – Questions To Ask Your Doctor
  35. Heart Health
  36. High Cholesterol – Causes, Symptoms & Treatments
  37. Hormone Therapy In Postmenopausal Persons: Primary Prevention of Chronic Conditions
  38. How To Make Healthy Food and Healthy Lifestyle Choices Now
  39. How To Prevent Heart Disease After Menopause
  40. It’s Time To… Read My Lips
    Cardiovascular Disease
  41. Know Your Numbers It Could Just Save Your Life
  42. Know Your Risk
  43. Learn & Prevent
  44. Life’s Essential 8
  45. Listen To Your Heart: Women and Heart Disease
  46. Making Mayo’s Recipes: Two Days’ Worth of Heart-Healthy Menus
  47. Mayo Clinic Q&A Podcast: Tips for Living Younger, Longer By Preventing Disease [+ Video Courtesy: Mayo Clinic News Network]
  48. Menopause and Cardiovascular Risk
  49. Menopause and Heart Disease
  50. Menopause and Women’s Health
  51. Menopause and Your Heart
  52. Million Hearts
  53. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: Cardiovascular Disease
  54. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: Chelation for Coronary Heart Disease: What You Need To Know
  55. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: How Safe Is This Product or Practice?
  56. Numbers You Should Know for Your Heart: What To Ask Your Doctor
  57. OfficialGoRed4Women [Videos]
  58. Older Adults Could Lower the Risks To Their Heart and Brain 500 Steps At A Time
  59. People Who Follow These 8 Heart Health Metrics May Live Years Longer
  60. Preventing Cardiovascular Disease
  61. Prevention: What Can You Do To Lower Your Risk of Cardiovascular Disease?
  62. Q&A: Health Changes During Menopause Associated With Increased Cardiovascular Risk
  63. Real Women
  64. Recipes [American Heart Association]
  65. Recipes [National Heart Foundation of Australia]
  66. Risk Factors
  67. Staying Active
  68. Stress and Heart Health
  69. Stroke
  70. Stroke Association [United Kingdom]
  71. Stroke Symptoms
  72. Stroke – Causes, Signs and Symptoms
  73. Symptoms of A Heart Attack and Stroke In Women
  74. Taking It To Heart: Addressing Cardiovascular Disease In Women
  75. The Connection Between Menopause and Cardiovascular Disease Risks
  76. The Role of Nutrition and Lifestyle In Supporting Cardiovascular Kidney Metabolic Health
  77. The Women’s Health Initiative Trials: Clinical Messages
  78. Tobacco
  79. US Taskforce Advises Against Low Dose Aspirin for Primary Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease
  80. Videos & Podcasts: Videos – Cardiovascular Disease In Women
  81. Video: Leslie Cho, MD, Discusses CV Risks, Benefits of Menopausal Hormone Therapy
  82. WISEWOMAN
  83. WISEWOMAN: WISEWOMAN Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
  84. Watch, Learn and Live: American Heart Association’s Interactive Cardiovascular Library
  85. Webinars: Previous – Cardiovascular Disease
  86. Webinars: Previous – Primary Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease With MHT – Where Are We Now?
  87. Webinars: Previous – Reproductive Milestones Across the Lifespan and Cardiovascular Disease Risk In Women
  88. Webinars: Previous – Recommendations on Cardiovascular Risk Assessment
  89. Webinars: Previous – The Heart of the Matter
  90. What Is A Stroke?
  91. What Is Cardiovascular Disease?
  92. What Is Cardiovascular Disease?
    Cardiovascular Disease
  93. What Is Cardiovascular Disease? What Can You Do To Lower Your Risk of Cardiovascular Disease?
    Cardiovascular Disease
  94. Women & CVD
    Cardiovascular Disease
  95. World Heart Day [29 September]
    Cardiovascular Disease
  96. World Heart Federation
  97. World Menopause Day 2023 [18 October]
    Cardiovascular Disease
  98. World Menopause Day 2023: Patient Information Leaflet – Cardiovascular Disease: What Women Need To Know [Multiply Languages]
    Cardiovascular Disease
  99. World Stroke Day [29 October 2025]
    Cardiovascular Disease

 Sources

Where may I find the Sources quoted?

You may find the Sources quoted at:

Sources

  1. Cardiovascular Disease. Published: December 2024. British Heart Foundation https://www.bhf.org.uk/informationsupport/conditions/cardiovascular-heart-disease Accessed: 26 October 2025
  2. Cardiovascular Disease. Published: December 2024. British Heart Foundation https://www.bhf.org.uk/informationsupport/conditions/cardiovascular-heart-disease Accessed: 26 October 2025
  3. Cardiovascular Diseases (CVDs): Overview. 31 July 2025. World Health Organization https://www.who.int/en/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/cardiovascular-diseases-(cvds) Accessed: 26 October 2025
  4. Heart Health: Cardiovascular Disease. Menopause Society https://menopause.org/patient-education/menopause-topics/heart-health Accessed: 26 October 2025
  5. Cardiovascular Disease: Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors. Published: December 2024. British Heart Foundation https://www.bhf.org.uk/informationsupport/conditions/cardiovascular-heart-disease Accessed: 26 October 2025
  6. Menopause and Cardiovascular Disease Risk: Does Menopause Increase A Woman’s Risk of Heart Disease and Stroke? Last Reviewed: 12 September 2024. Go Red for Women https://www.goredforwomen.org/en/know-your-risk/menopause/menopause-and-cardiovascular-risk Accessed: 26 October 2025
  7. Prevention: What Can You Do To Lower Your Risk of Cardiovascular Disease? World Heart Federation https://world-heart-federation.org/what-we-do/prevention/ Accessed: 26 October 2024
  8. WISEWOMAN Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): What Is the WISEWOMAN Program? 15 May 2024. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention https://www.cdc.gov/wisewoman/php/faqs/ Accessed: 26 October 2025
  9. WISEWOMAN Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): What Services Does the WISEWOMAN Program Fund? 15 May 2024. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention https://www.cdc.gov/wisewoman/php/faqs/ Accessed: 26 October 2025
  10. Know Your Numbers It Could Just Save Your Life. Go Red for Women https://www.goredforwomen.org/en/know-your-risk/know-your-numbers Accessed: 26 October 2025
Topic Last Updated: 26 October 2025 – Topic Last Reviewed: 26 October 2025

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