Menopause and Cardiovascular Disease

“It is very important to try to reduce the risk of
cardiovascular disease, especially at this time of your life,
with a healthy lifestyle that includes…”.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

Before menopause do women have a lower risk of CVD than men?

The (Australian) Jean Hailes for Women’s Health (JH) note:

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

After Menopause

After menopause can women have an increased risk of CVD?

In Health After Menopause: Cardiovascular Disease the JH elaborate on:

“Blood pressure can increase after menopause, as can total cholesterol and LDL, or ‘bad cholesterol’. There can also be a decrease in HDL, or ‘good cholesterol’. Other blood fats such as triglycerides can also increase”.5

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”.6

Hot Flushes and Night Sweats

Is there an association between menopausal vasomotor symptoms (VMS) i.e., hot flushes and night sweats and CVD?

In Vasomotor Menopausal Symptoms and Risk of Cardiovascular Disease: A Pooled Analysis of Six Prospective Studies – Conclusion the authors conclude:

“Severity rather than frequency of VMS (hot flushes and night sweats) was associated with increased risk of CVD. VMS with onset before or after menopause were also associated with increased risk of CVD”.7

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”.8

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…”.9

In Health After Menopause: Cardiovascular Disease the JH note:

“It is very important to try to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, especially at this time of your life, with a healthy lifestyle that includes:

  • A healthy and nutritious diet
  • Regular exercise for fitness
  • Maintaining a healthy weight
  • Not smoking
  • Minimising alcohol”.10

In Health After Menopause: Cardiovascular Disease the JH also note:

“Lifestyle changes might not be enough for some women with a higher risk of cardiovascular disease, so medication for high blood pressure and/or cholesterol may be required”.11

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:

“The WISEWOMAN (Well-Integrated Screening and Evaluation for WOMen Across the Nation) program helps women understand and reduce their risk for heart disease and stroke and provides services to help promote lasting heart-healthy lifestyles”.12

What services does the WISEWOMAN program fund?

The CDC explain:

“The WISEWOMAN program funds heart disease and stroke risk factor screenings that include blood pressure, diabetes, body mass index (BMI), and cholesterol screenings. Services are provided in local health departments, doctors’ offices, and community health centers”.13

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”.14

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 Prevention of Diseases After Menopause the authors note:

“Screening for CVD at regular intervals after menopause is extremely important. This includes measurement of blood pressure, lipids and perhaps inflammatory markers, BMI, and ascertainment of lifestyle factors such as activity level and smoking status. In addition, a family history of heart disease and stroke is important”.15

Health Topics A-Z

Where may I find Health Topics 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.

  1. 4 Tips To Keep Your Heart Healthy While Working From Home
  2. 6 Things Every Woman Should Know About Heart Health
  3. 8 Things You Can Do To Prevent Heart Disease and Stroke
  4. About Cardiovascular Disease
  5. About Heart Disease In Women
  6. About Stroke
  7. Alcohol
  8. American Heart Association
  9. American Stroke Association
  10. Aspirin Use To Prevent Cardiovascular Disease US Preventive Services Task Force Recommendation Statement
  11. Askearlymenopause.org [Ask EM] [+ Video: What Is Early Menopause?]
  12. Cardiovascular Diseases
  13. Cardiovascular Diseases (CVDs)
  14. Cardiovascular Health After Menopause Transition, Pregnancy Disorders, and Other Gynaecologic Conditions: A Consensus Document From European Cardiologists, Gynaecologists, and Endocrinologists
  15. Cardiovascular Health: Risks & Causes
  16. Cardiovascular Heart Disease
  17. Coronary Heart Disease (CHD) Explained – A British Menopause Society Video
  18. Diabetes and Heart Disease
  19. Doctor Appointments: Questions To Ask Your Doctor
  20. EMAS Replay: Risk Assessment for MHT – When, To Whom, Which, and How Long? [Multiply Languages]
  21. Early Menopause: Experiences and Perspectives of Women and Health Practitioners – Women’s Profiles
  22. Get Familiar With Signs of A Heart Attack or Stroke
  23. Goredforwomen.org [Go Red for Women, United States]
  24. Healthy Body: Top 10 Healthy Heart Tips
  25. Healthy Lifestyle
  26. Healthy Lifestyle
  27. Healthy Living
  28. Heart Attack and Stroke Symptoms: Warnings Signs of Heart Attack, Stroke & Cardiac Arrest
  29. Heart Disease In African-American Women
  30. Heart Disease In Hispanic Women
  31. Heart Disease: It’s Not Just for Men – Questions To Ask Your Doctor
  32. Heart Health Information In Your Language
  33. Heart Health Information In Your Language: Healthy Heart Habits [Multiply Languages]
  34. Heart Health Information In Your Language: Women and Heart Disease [Multiply Languages]
  35. Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) Explained – A British Menopause Society Video
  36. Hormone Therapy In Postmenopausal Women: Primary Prevention of Chronic Conditions
  37. Hormone Therapy: Is It Right for You?
  38. Hot Flushes and Night Sweats Linked To 70 Per Cent Increase In Cardiovascular Disease
  39. How Menopause Impacts Your Health
  40. How To Make Healthy Food and Healthy Lifestyle Choices Now
  41. How To Prevent Heart Disease
  42. How To Prevent Heart Disease After Menopause
  43. Infographic: Exercise Is Medicine
  44. Infographic: Treat Your Heart As A House
  45. Infographic: Women and Heart Disease
  46. Is It Fatigue – or A Stroke? Women Shouldn’t Ignore These Signs
  47. Know Your Numbers They Could Just Save Your Life
  48. Know Your Risk
  49. KnowDiabetesbyHeart
  50. Later Years (Around 50 Years and Over): Menopause and Post Menopause Health
  51. Listen To Your Heart: Learn About Heart Disease – Women and Heart Disease
  52. Making Mayo’s Recipes: Two Days’ Worth of Heart-Healthy Menus
  53. Mayo Clinic Minute: What Is Heart Disease? [+ Video]
  54. Mayo Clinic Minute: Help With Hot Flashes Due To Menopause [+ Video]
  55. Mayo Clinic Q&A Podcast: Don’t Miss A Beat With Preventive Heart Care [+ Video]
  56. Mayo Clinic Q&A Podcast: Understanding the Connection Between Diabetes and Heart Disease [+ Video Courtesy: Mayo Clinic News Network]
  57. Mayo Mindfulness: Tackle Stress, Anxiety and Depression To Benefit Your Heart
  58. Menopause FAQs: Your Health After Menopause
  59. Menopause Hormone Therapy: Who Shouldn’t Take It?
  60. Menopause and Heart Disease
  61. Menopause and Heart Disease
  62. Menopause and Your Heart
  63. Menopause – Is Menopausal Hormone Therapy (HRT) Safe? [Multiply Languages] [Video]
  64. Million Hearts
  65. My Life Check | Life’s Simple 7
  66. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: Cardiovascular Disease
  67. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: Chelation for Coronary Heart Disease: What You Need To Know
  68. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: How Safe Is This Product or Practice?
  69. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: Know the Science: How Medications and Supplements Can Interact
  70. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: Menopausal Symptoms: In Depth
  71. Preventing Cardiovascular Disease
  72. Recipes [American Heart Association]
  73. Recipes [National Heart Foundation of Australia]
  74. Reclaim Your Rhythm With Go Red for Women
  75. Risk Factors
  76. Smokefreewomen [United States]
  77. Staying Active
  78. Stress and Heart Health
  79. Stroke
  80. Stroke
  81. Stroke Symptoms
  82. Stroke – Causes, Signs and Symptoms
  83. Symptoms of A Heart Attack and Stroke In Women
  84. Time To Follow Your Heart
  85. Video Series-2021: How Clinicians Determine Which Women May Benefit From Statin Therapy
  86. Video Series-2021: What You Need to Know About the #1 Cause of Death in Women
  87. Video Series-2022
  88. Videos and Podcasts: Interviews and Podcasts – Interviews: Menopause More Than Hot Flashes
  89. WISEWOMAN: WISEWOMAN Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
  90. Webinars: Previous – Menopause: A Cardio-Metabolic Transition
  91. Webinars: Previous – Primary Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease With MHT – Where Are We Now?
  92. What Is A Stroke?
  93. What Is Cardiovascular Disease?
  94. What Is Cardiovascular Disease?
    Cardiovascular Disease
  95. What It Means To Go Red for Women [+ Video]
  96. Women With A Heart Condition
  97. Women and Heart Disease [Videos]
  98. Women’s Wellness: Understand Heart Disease Symptoms and Risk Factors Unique To Women
  99. World Heart Day, September 29TH
    Menopause and Cardiovascular Disease
  100. World Stroke Day
    Menopause and Cardiovascular Disease

Sources

Where may I find the Sources quoted?

You may find the Sources quoted at:

Sources

  1. Health After Menopause: Cardiovascular Disease. Last Updated: 25 March 2021 | Last Reviewed: 17 December 2017. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/menopause/health-after-menopause/ Accessed: 10 June 2022
  2. Cardiovascular Heart Disease. Page Last Reviewed: October 2019. British Heart Foundation https://www.bhf.org.uk/informationsupport/conditions/cardiovascular-heart-disease Accessed: 10 June 2022
  3. Cardiovascular Diseases (CVDs): What Are Cardiovascular Diseases? 11 June 2021. World Health Organization https://www.who.int/en/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/cardiovascular-diseases-(cvds) Accessed: 10 June 2022
  4. Health After Menopause: Cardiovascular Disease. Last Updated: 25 March 2021 | Last Reviewed: 17 December 2017. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/menopause/health-after-menopause/ Accessed: 10 June 2022
  5. Health After Menopause: Cardiovascular Disease. Last Updated: 25 March 2021 | Last Reviewed: 17 December 2017. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/menopause/health-after-menopause/ Accessed: 10 June 2022
  6. 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: 10 June 2022
  7. Zhu, D., Chung, H-F., Dobson, A. J., El Khoudary, S. E., Crawford, S., Mishra, G. D. eta al. Vasomotor Menopausal Symptoms and Risk of Cardiovascular Disease: A Pooled Analysis of Six Prospective Studies – Conclusion. 22 June 2020. https://www.ajog.org/article/S0002-9378(20)30664-5/pdf Accessed: 10 June 2022
  8. 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: 10 June 2022
  9. 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: 10 June 2022
  10. Health After Menopause: Cardiovascular Disease. Last Updated: 25 March 2021 | Last Reviewed: 17 December 2017. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/menopause/health-after-menopause/ Accessed: 10 June 2022
  11. Health After Menopause: Cardiovascular Disease. Last Updated: 25 March 2021 | Last Reviewed: 17 December 2017. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/menopause/health-after-menopause/ Accessed: 10 June 2022
  12. WISEWOMAN Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): What Is the WISEWOMAN Program? Page Last Reviewed: 09 December 2021. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention https://www.cdc.gov/wisewoman/faqs.htm Accessed: 10 June 2022
  13. WISEWOMAN Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): What Services Does the WISEWOMAN Program Fund? Page Last Reviewed: 09 December 2021. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention https://www.cdc.gov/wisewoman/faqs.htm Accessed: 10 June 2022
  14. 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: 10 June 2022
  15. Lobo, R. A., Davis, S. R., De Villiers, T. J., Gompel, A., Henderson, V. W., Hodis, H. N., Lumsden, M. A., Mack, W. J., Shapiro, S. and Baber, R. J. Prevention of Diseases After Menopause: Cardiovascular Diseases. 2014:7 https://www.imsociety.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/wmd-2014-white-pages-english.pdf Accessed: 10 June 2022

Topic Last Updated: 10 June 2022 – Topic Last Reviewed: 10 June 2022
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