“…the number one killer of women in North America is cardiovascular disease, that is, diseases of the heart and circulatory system”.¹

Umbrella
What may the Menopause and Cardiovascular Disease Umbrella include?

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

Cardiovascular Disease

What is cardiovascular disease (CVD)?

DotS the definition of CVD may vary. The British Heart Foundation’s definition is:

Before Menopause

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

The World Heart Federation (WHF) explain:

“Gender: Your gender is significant: as a man you are at greater risk of heart disease than a pre-menopausal woman. But once past the menopause, a woman’s risk is similar to a man’s. Risk of stroke is similar for men and women”.³

The (Australian) Jean Hailes for Women’s Health (JH) also 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 menopuase, 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

In Menopause FAQs: Your Health After Menopause – Q. Do I have to start worrying about heart disease? the North American Menopause Society (NAMS) explain:

“A. You do. 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”.⁶

Breast Cancer

Is CVD a bigger killer of women than breast cancer?

In Resources for Women the WHF note:

Risk Factors

What are risk factors for CVD?

In Risk Factors: Cardiovascular Risk Factors the WHF elaborate on:

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”.⁹

Prevention

Is CVD preventable?

Yes. In What Can I Do To Avoid A Heart Attack or Stroke? Q: What Can I Do To Avoid A Heart Attack or A Stroke? the WHO elaborate on:

“The good news, however, is that 80% of premature heart attacks and strokes are preventable. Healthy diet, regular physical activity, and not using tobacco products are the keys to prevention. Checking and controlling risk factors for heart disease and stroke such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol and high blood sugar or diabetes is also very important”.¹⁰

In Women and CVD – Facts and Tips: How To Protect Your Heart – Protect Your Heart the WHF explain and elaborate on:

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”.¹²

Physical Activity

Is there an association between physical activity and CVD?

In Risk Factors: Cardiovascular Risk Factors – Modifiable Risk Factors: Physical Inactivity and Cardiovascular Disease the WHF note:

“Physical activity protects you by regulating your weight and improving your body’s use of insulin. Being active is beneficial for your blood pressure, blood lipid levels, blood glucose levels, blood clotting factors, the health of your blood vessels and inflammation, which is powerful promoter of cardiovascular disease”.¹³

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:

What services does the WISEWOMAN program fund?

The CDC explain:

Know Your Numbers

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

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

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.

The NAMS note:

“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”.¹⁷

In Hot Flushes and Night Sweats Linked To 70 Per Cent Increase In Cardiovascular Disease:

“This research helps to identify women who are at a higher risk for the development of cardiovascular events and who may need close monitoring in clinical practice,” Professor Mishra said”.¹⁸

On page seven 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”.¹⁹

What is BMI?

BMI may be defined as Body Mass Index.

Health Topics A-Z

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Topic Last Updated:19 February 2021 – Topic Last Reviewed: 16 December 2020