Cardiovascular Disease

“Cardiovascular disease (CVD), also called heart
and circulatory disease, is an umbrella 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 Heart Disease the British Heart Foundation’s (BHF) definition is:

“Cardiovascular disease (CVD), also called heart and circulatory disease, is an umbrella 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): What Are Cardiovascular Diseases? 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

Before Menopause

Cardiovascular DiseaseCardiovascular DiseaseBefore menopause do women have a lower risk of CVD than men?

In What Is Menopause? The Menopause Transition: Perimenopause, Menopause and Postmenopause – Heart Health the (Australian) Jean Hailes for Women’s Health (JH) note:

“Before menopause, women have a lower risk of heart disease than men. However, as women age and their oestrogen levels fall, their risk of cardiovascular disease increases”.4

After Menopause

After menopause can women have an increased risk of CVD?

The North American Menopause Society explain:

“Although many women think of heart disease as a man’s disease, the number one killer of women in North America is cardiovascular disease, that is, diseases of the heart and circulatory system. After age 55, more than half of all the deaths in women are caused by cardiovascular disease. Risk for this disease increases after menopause. Be sure to talk to your healthcare team about what your risks are and how you can reduce them”.5

Risk Factors

What are risk factors for CVD?

In Cardiovascular Heart Disease: What Increases My Risk of Cardiovascular Heart Disease? the BHF elaborate on:

“A risk factor is something that increases the chance of getting a condition. The more you have, the higher your chance of CVD. Even if you can’t change all your risk factors, there are steps you can take to reduce your risk.

There are several risk factors for CVD, including:

  • Smoking
  • Stress
  • Alcohol
  • High blood pressure
  • High blood cholesterol
  • Being physically inactive
  • Being overweight or obese
  • Diabetes
  • Family history of heart disease
  • Ethnic Background
  • Sex – men are more likely to get CVD earlier than women
  • Age – the older you are, the more likely you are to get CVD”.6

Prevention

Is CVD preventable?

In 8 Things You Can Do To Prevent Heart Disease and Stroke the American Heart Association explain and elaborate on:

  1. “Know your risk…
  2. Eat a healthy diet…
  3. Be physically active…
  4. Watch your weight…
  5. Live tobacco-free…
  6. Manage conditions…
  7. Take your medicine…
  8. Be a team player…”.7

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…”.8

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”.9

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”.10

Know Your Numbers

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

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

“Talk to your healthcare provider today to learn about your Blood Pressure, Cholesterol, Blood Sugar and BMI (Body Mass Index). Your heart depends on it”.11

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

On page seven in Menopause and Cardiovascular Disease Risk Go Red for Women elaborate on:

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

 Sources

Where may I find the Sources quoted?

You may find the Sources quoted at:

Sources

  1. Cardiovascular Heart Disease. Page Last Reviewed: October 2019. British Heart Foundation https://www.bhf.org.uk/informationsupport/conditions/cardiovascular-heart-disease Accessed: 12 August 2024
  2. Cardiovascular Heart Disease. Page Last Reviewed: October 2019. British Heart Foundation https://www.bhf.org.uk/informationsupport/conditions/cardiovascular-heart-disease Accessed: 12 August 2024
  3. Cardiovascular Diseases (CVDs): What Are Cardiovascular Diseases? 11 June 21. World Health Organization https://www.who.int/en/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/cardiovascular-diseases-(cvds) Accessed: 12 August 2024
  4. What Is Menopause? Perimenopause, Menopause and Postmenopause: Postmenopause – Heart Health. Last Updated: 18 January 2024 | Last Reviewed: 19 August 2022. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://www.jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/menopause/about-menopause Accessed: 12 August 2024
  5. Menopause FAQs: Your Health After Menopause – Q. Do I have to start worrying about heart disease? North American Menopause Society https://www.menopause.org/for-women/menopause-faqs-your-health-after-menopause Accessed: 12 August 2024
  6. Cardiovascular Heart Disease: What Increases My Risk of Cardiovascular Diseases? Page Last Reviewed: October 2019. British Heart Foundation https://www.bhf.org.uk/informationsupport/conditions/cardiovascular-heart-disease Accessed: 12 August 2024
  7. 8 Things You Can Do To Prevent Heart Disease and Stroke. Last Reviewed: 14 March 2019. American Heart Association https://www.heart.org/en/healthy-living/healthy-lifestyle/prevent-heart-disease-and-stroke Accessed: 12 August 2024
  8. Menopause and Cardiovascular Disease Risk: Does Menopause Increase A Woman’s Risk of Heart Disease and Stroke? Last Reviewed: 27 July 2021. Go Red for Women https://www.goredforwomen.org/en/know-your-risk/menopause/menopause-and-cardiovascular-risk Accessed: 12 August 2024
  9. 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: 12 August 2024
  10. 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: 12 August 2024
  11. Know Your Numbers They Could Just Save Your Life. Go Red for Women https://www.goredforwomen.org/en/know-your-risk/know-your-numbers Accessed: 12 August 2024
  12. Menopause and Cardiovascular Disease Risk. Last Reviewed: 27 July 2021. Go Red for Women https://www.goredforwomen.org/en/know-your-risk/menopause/menopause-and-cardiovascular-risk Accessed: 12 August 2024
Topic Last Updated: 12 August 2024 – Topic Last Reviewed: 12 August 2024

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