Menopause and Cardiovascular Disease

Menopause and Cardiovascular Disease

“Before menopause, women have a lower risk of heart
disease than men. After menopause, and as women age,
their risk of heart disease increases…”.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

Menopause and Cardiovascular DiseaseMenopause and Cardiovascular 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”.3

Risk Factors

What are risk factors for heart disease after menopause?

In Menopause: Health After Menopause – Heart Health After Menopause the (Australian) Jean Hailes for Women’s Health explain:

“Before menopause, women have a lower risk of heart disease than men. After menopause, and as women age, their risk of heart disease increases.

After menopause, you may be more likely to develop risk factors for heart disease, including:

  • High blood pressure
  • An increase in total cholesterol
  • An increase in LDL (bad cholesterol)
  • A decrease in HDL (good cholesterol)
  • An increase in blood fats, such as triglycerides
  • Weight gain and body fat around the belly.

Women who experience moderate to severe hot flushes and night sweats may have an increased risk of heart disease”.4

In Menopause and Cardiovascular Risk Factors: Does Menopause Increase A Woman’s Risk of Heart Disease and Stroke? the American Heart Association’s Go Red for Women elaborate on:

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

  • Age at the time of menopause. Women who reach menopause before age 45 have a significantly higher risk of coronary heart disease…
  • The cause and timing of menopause. Menopause caused by surgical removal of both ovaries at an early age can lead to a higher risk of cardiovascular disease…
  • Estrogen. Levels of estrogen, which helps keep blood vessels relaxed and open, start to decline markedly as menopause approaches…
  • Hot flashes and night sweats. Hot flashes and night sweats are the most common menopause-related symptoms and can last up to 10 years….
  • Depression and sleep problems. In some studies, depression and sleep disturbances were linked to an increased risk of heart disease.
  • Increased visceral fat. This type of fat, in the abdominal cavity near vital organs, is associated with a higher risk of cardiovascular disease and cancer.
  • Cholesterol levels and metabolic syndrome risk. These cardiovascular risk factors appear to increase with menopause beyond the effects of normal aging…”.5

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:

  • “Eat a healthy and balanced diet…
  • Avoid tobacco use…
  • Maintain a healthy body weight…
  • Exercise regularly…
  • Take your medication as prescribed…
  • Manage stress…
  • Avoid alcohol…
  • Know the warning signs…”.6

Know Your Numbers

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

In Know Your Numbers It Could Just Save Your Life the (United States) Go Red for Women elaborate on:

“It is vital for all women to understand their personal risk factors for cardiovascular disease. Knowing your risk starts with knowing four important health numbers — total cholesterol, blood pressure, blood sugar, and body mass index. Having these numbers in check and at healthy levels can reduce your risk for heart disease and stroke.

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”.7

WISEWOMAN Program

What is the (United States) WISEWOMAN program?

Your Country may have a program similar to the 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 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) WISEWOMAN program is at the forefront of the nation’s efforts to achieve optimal cardiovascular health for persons 35-64 years old. The program focuses on women who are uninsured, underinsured, or have lower incomes”.8 

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 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”.9

Health Topics A-Z

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

In Health Topics A-Z you may find:

Health Topics A-Z

Links

Where may I find Links related to Menopause and Cardiovascular Disease?

Your Country may have Links similar to:

Links

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New or Updated

  1. 4 Reasons To See a Cardiologist
  2. Askearlymenopause.org [Ask EM] [+ Video: What Is Early Menopause?]
  3. Be A Force for Change. Know the Signs. Get Your Heart Checked. [Video]
  4. CVS Health Screenings [+ Video]
  5. Cardiovascular Disease Prevention In Women: A Discussion With Erin Donnelly Michos, MD
  6. Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors and Heart Attack Warning Signs In Women
  7. Cardiovascular Diseases (CVDs)
  8. Complementary & Alternative Therapies: Non-Hormonal Treatments for Menopause Symptoms
  9. Complementary Medicines and Therapies for Hot Flushes
  10. Complementary Medicines and Therapies: Options for Menopausal Symptoms
  11. Consumer Video and Podcast Series: 2023 Consumer Videos and Podcasts – Menopause and Heart Disease
  12. Diabetes
  13. EMAS On-Demand Webinars [European Menopause and Andropause Society] [Multiply Languages]: Sleep Disturbances In Menopause
  14. February Is American Heart Month
    Menopause and Cardiovascular Disease Heart Disease and Menopause
  15. Find A Menopause Practitioner [United States and Other]
  16. Find A Practitioner [Australasian Menopause Society i.e. Australia and New Zealand]
  17. Find Your Nearest BMS Menopause Specialist [British Menopause Society]
  18. Getting Serious About Heart Health: Risk Factors for Cholesterol
    Menopause and Cardiovascular Disease
  19. Goredforwomen.org [Go Red for Women, American Heart Association United States]Menopause an Cardiovascular Disease Menopause an Cardiovascular Disease
  20. HRT Questions Answered
  21. Heart Disease: Preventing Heart Disease
  22. Heart Health
  23. Heart Health and Cardiovascular Disease
  24. Heart Health for Women [+ Videos]
  25. Heart Health for Women [+ Videos]: Download Heart Health for Women Fact Sheet In Other Languages
  26. Heart Palpitations
  27. Heart-Health and Cholesterol In Menopause
  28. Herheart.org
  29. How Can Early Menopause Affect My Health?
  30. How Healthy Is Your Heart? Take This Quiz To Find Out
  31. Inflammation, Hormones and the Hidden Cause of Chronic Disease
  32. International Menopause Society (IMS) Recommendations and Key Messages on Women’s Midlife Health and Menopause
  33. Joint Position Statement By the British Menopause Society, Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists and Society for Endocrinology on Best Practice Recommendations for the Care of Women Experiencing the Menopause
  34. Know Your Numbers
  35. Later Years (Around 50 Years and Over): Menopause and Post Menopause Health – After the Menopause [Other Languages and Formats]
  36. Later Years (Around 50 Years and Over): Menopause and Post Menopause Health – Early and Premature Menopause [Other Languages and Formats]
  37. Life’s Essential 8
  38. Looking After Yourself Around the Time of Menopause
  39. Mayo Clinic Minute: Are You Getting Enough Sleep for Your Best Heart Health? [+ Video Courtesy: Mayo Clinic News Network]
  40. Mayo Clinic Minute: Know the Risk Factors To Prevent Stroke
  41. Mayo Clinic Minute: Menopause and the Heart Connection [+ Video Courtesy: Mayo Clinic News Network]
  42. Mayo Clinic Minute: Signs of Coronary Artery Disease, How To Reduce Your Risk [+ Video]
  43. Mayo Clinic Minute: The Link Between Heart Disease and Stroke [+ Video Courtesy: Mayo Clinic News Network]
  44. Mayo Clinic Q&A: How Menopause Affects Heart, Brain and Bone Health
  45. Menopause
  46. Menopause
    Menopause and Cardiovascular Disease
  47. Menopause Can Bring Increased Cholesterol Levels and Other Heart Risks. Here’s Why and What To Do About It
  48. Menopause Map: Downloadable Resources – My Personal Path Print Tools: Questions for Your Health Care Provider
  49. Menopause and Cardiovascular Disease and Using HRT To Treat Menopause Symptoms
  50. Menopause and Cardiovascular Risk
  51. Menopause and Women’s Health
  52. Menopause and Your Heart
  53. Menopause: How To Talk To Your Doctor
  54. Menopause: Identification and Management [NICE Guideline]
  55. Menopause: Identification and Management [NICE Guideline]
    Menopause and Cardiovascular Disease
  56. Million Hearts
  57. Mymenoplan.org [My Menoplan, United States]
  58. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: Cardiovascular Disease
  59. Navigating Menopause: Honest Answers To All Your Questions [+ Video: What To Expect In Menopause]
  60. Navigating Menopause Care Resource Guide
  61. Online Events [International Menopause Society]: CAMS Menopause Hour Webinars – The Menopause Journey: Navigating Cardiometabolic Risk In Women
  62. Online Events International Menopause Society]: IMS Partnership Symposia Series – Evaluating High-Risk Patients In Menopause At Risk of Cardiovascular Disease (CVD)
  63. Online Events [International Menopause Society]: IMS Partnership Symposia Series – What’s Hot? Options for Treatment of Hot Flushes 2025
  64. Online Events [International Menopause Society]: Past Webinars – 2025: Lifestyle Medicine
  65. Online Events [International Menopause Society]: Past Webinars – 2026: New IMS Recommendations: Evidence-Based Management of Vasomotor Symptoms
  66. Online Events [International Menopause Society]: Past Webinars – 2026: New IMS Recommendations – Lifestyle, Diet, Exercise
  67. Online Events [International Menopause Society]: Past Webinars – 2026: New IMS Recommendations – Midlife Body Changes
  68. Perimenopause
  69. Perimenopause and Menopause Checklist: Translated Checklists
  70. Perimenopause and Menopause Symptom Checklist
  71. Q&A: Health Changes During Menopause Associated With Increased Cardiovascular Risk
  72. Resources: Fact Sheets [Multiply Languages]
  73. Risk Factors
  74. Staying Healthy During and After Menopause
  75. Societal Influences’ Impact on Cardiovascular Disease In Women
  76. Stroke
  77. Supplements: What Works, What Doesn’t and the Truth About Menowashing
  78. The Connection Between Menopause and Cardiovascular Disease Risks
  79. The Heart Truth [National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, United States]
  80. The Menopause Society Show: Menopause & Weight Gain
  81. Twenty-Year Cardiovascular Disease Incidence In Menopausal Women: Insights From the ATTICA Study
  82. (Video) Heart Disease In Women: 4 Things A Mayo Clinic Cardiologist Wants You To Know [+ Video Courtesy: Mayo Clinic News Network]
  83. Videos & Podcasts: Videos – Cardiovascular Disease In Women
  84. Videos & Podcasts: Videos – Menopause and Hormone Therapy: Current Perspectives and Controversies
  85. WISEWOMAN Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
  86. Webinar: Early Menopause
  87. What Is Cardiovascular Disease?
    Menopause and Cardiovascular Disease
  88. What Is the Difference Between Perimenopause, Menopause and Postmenopause?
  89. Why Heart Disease In Women Is Still Being Missed
  90. Why Perimenopause May Be the Best Time To Act on Heart Disease Risk
  91. Women & CVD
  92. Women & CVD

  93. Womenheart.org [WomenHeart, United States]
  94. Women’s Health Disparities: Cardiovascular Disease
    Menopause and Cardiovascular Disease
  95. Women’s Heart Health: What We’re Missing and Why It Matters | WHAM Roundtable
  96. World Heart Day [29 September]
    Menopause and Cardiovascular Disease Menopause and Cardiovascular Disease
  97. World Menopause Day 2023
    Menopause and Cardiovascular Disease
  98. World Menopause Day 2023: Patient Information Leaflet – Cardiovascular Disease: What Women Need To Know [Multiply Languages]
  99. World Menopause Day 2025
    Menopause Transition 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. Menopause: Health After Menopause – Heart Health After Menopause. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://www.jeanhailes.org.au/health-topics/menopause/#section-health-after-menopause Accessed: 07 July 2026
  2. Cardiovascular Disease. Page Updated: 01 December 2024. British Heart Foundation https://www.bhf.org.uk/informationsupport/conditions/cardiovascular-heart-disease Accessed: 07 July 2026
  3. Heart Health: Cardiovascular Disease. Menopause Society https://menopause.org/patient-education/menopause-topics/heart-health Accessed: 07 July 2026
  4. Menopause: Health After Menopause – Heart Health After Menopause. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://www.jeanhailes.org.au/health-topics/menopause/#section-health-after-menopause”>https://www.jeanhailes.org.au/health-topics/menopause/#section-health-after-menopause https://www.jeanhailes.org.au/health-topics/menopause/#section-health-after-menopause Accessed: 07 July 2026
  5. 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: 07 July 2026
  6. 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: 07 July 2026
  7. 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: 07 July 2026
  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/?CDC_AAref_Val=https://www.cdc.gov/wisewoman/faqs.htm Accessed: 07 July 2026
  9. Menopause and Cardiovascular Disease Risk. Last Reviewed: 12 September 2024. Go Red for Women https://www.goredforwomen.org/en/know-your-risk/menopause/menopause-and-cardiovascular-risk Accessed: 07 July 2026
Topic Last Updated: 07 July 2026 – Topic Last Reviewed: 07 July 2026

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