Menopause and Cardiovascular Disease

“Before menopause, women have a lower risk of heart
disease than men. However, as women age
and their oestrogen levels fall, their risk of…”.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 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”.2

Menopause

Is there an association between menopause and CVD risk?

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”.3

Menopause and Cardiovascular Risk Factors

What are menopause and CVD risk factors?

In What Is Menopause? Perimenopause, Menopause and Postmenopause – Postmenopause: Heart Health the JH note:

“After menopause, risk factors for heart disease increase. These include:

  • 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”.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

Is CVD preventable?

In What Is Menopause? Perimenopause, Menopause and Postmenopause – Postmenopause: Heart Health the JH note:

“You can reduce the risk of heart disease by having a healthy lifestyle.
For example:

  • Eat a healthy and nutritious diet
  • Do regular exercise
  • Maintain a healthy weight
  • Don’t smoke
  • Limit alcohol intake”.6

Know Your Numbers

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

In Know Your Numbers They Could Just Save Your Life the (United States) 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)”.8

Heart Check

What may a heart check include?

In What Is Menopause? Perimenopause, Menopause and Postmenopause – Postmenopause: Heart Health the JH also note:

“You can also see your doctor for a heart check. They will take your blood pressure and test your blood to determine your risk factors. If you have a high risk of heart disease, your doctor may prescribe medication for high blood pressure and cholesterol”.9

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”.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 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”.11

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

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. Askearlymenopause.org [Ask EM] [+ Video: What Is Early Menopause?]
  2. BMS TV: Coronary Heart Disease (CHD)
  3. Be A Force for Change. Know the Signs. Get Your Heart Checked. [Video]
  4. CVS Health Screenings [+ Video]
  5. CAMS Menopause Hour: The Menopause Journey: Navigating Cardiometabolic Risk In Women [Council of Affiliated Menopause Societies]
  6. Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors and Heart Attack Warning Signs In Women
  7. Cardiovascular Diseases (CVDs)
  8. Consumer Video and Podcast Series: 2023 Consumer Videos and Podcasts – Menopause and Heart Disease
  9. Consumer Video and Podcast Series: 2023 Consumer Videos and Podcasts – NAMS 2023 Nonhormone Therapies Position Statement for Bothersome Menopause Symptoms
  10. Consumer Video and Podcast Series: 2023 Consumer Videos and Podcasts – New FDA-Approved Nonhormone Option for the Treatment of Hot Flashes
  11. Consumer Video and Podcast Series: 2023 Consumer Videos and Podcasts – Premature and Early Menopause
  12. Consumer Video and Podcast Series: 2023 Consumer Videos and Podcasts – Preparing for Your Menopause Health Care Visit
  13. Doing These 8 Things May Greatly Lower Risk for Heart Disease and Stroke
  14. Factors Impacting Women’s Cardiovascular Health Across the Lifespan
  15. February Is American Heart Month
    Menopause and Cardiovascular Disease
  16. Find A Menopause Practitioner [United States and Other]
  17. Find An AMS Member [Australasian Menopause Society i.e. Australia and New Zealand]
  18. Find Your Nearest BMS Menopause Specialist [British Menopause Society]
  19. Getting Serious About Heart Health: Risk Factors for Cholesterol
    Menopause and Cardiovascular Disease
  20. Goredforwomen.org [Go Red for Women, United States]
  21. HRT Questions Answered
  22. Heart Disease: Preventing Heart Disease – Choose Healthy Habits
  23. Heart Health
  24. Heart Health for Women
  25. Heart Health for Women
  26. Heart Palpitations
  27. Herheart.org
  28. How Menopause Impacts Your Health
  29. Improving Heart Health At Midlife and Beyond Could Lower Future Risk of Stroke, Dementia
  30. 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
  31. KnowDiabetesbyHeart
  32. Know Your Numbers
  33. Later Years (Around 50 Years and Over): Menopause and Post Menopause Health – After the Menopause [Other Languages and Formats]
  34. Later Years (Around 50 Years and Over): Menopause and Post Menopause Health – Early and Premature Menopause [Other Languages and Formats]
  35. Later Years (Around 50 Years and Over): Menopause and Post Menopause Health – Menopause [+ Video: Menopause Myths] [Other Languages and Formats]
  36. Menopause and Cardiovascular DiseaseLet’s Talk About Perimenopause
  37. Life’s Essential 8
  38. Looking After Yourself During 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: Menopause and the Heart Connection [+ Video]
  41. Mayo Clinic Minute: Perimenopause and Menopause [+ Video]
  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 Minute: What Women Need To Know About Stroke [+ Video]
  45. Menopausal Hormone Therapy, Heart Disease and Stroke
  46. Menopause
  47. Menopause
    Menopause and Cardiovascular Disease
  48. Menopause Can Bring Increased Cholesterol Levels and Other Heart Risks. Here’s Why and What To Do About It
  49. Menopause Map: Downloadable Resources – My Personal Path Print Tools: Questions for Your Health Care Provider
  50. Menopause Map: Downloadable Resources – My Personal Path Print Tools: Symptom Tracker
  51. Menopause Patient Information [Videos] 2. Talking To Your GP About Menopause
  52. Menopause and Cardiovascular Disease and Using HRT To Treat Menopause Symptoms [ + Video]
  53. Menopause and Cardiovascular Risk
  54. Menopause: Ensuring A Tranquil Transition
  55. Menopause: Identification and Management [NICE Guideline Published: 12 November 2015 Last Updated: 07 November 2024]
    Menopause and Cardiovascular Disease
  56. Menopause: Identification and Management: NICE Guideline [NG23] Published: 12 November 2015 Last Updated: 07 November 2024
  57. Menopause: Understanding the Changes and Finding Relief | Dr Susan Davis | The Proof Podcast EP 256
  58. Million Hearts
  59. Mymenoplan.org [My Menoplan, United States]
  60. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: Cardiovascular Disease
  61. Navigating Menopause: Expert Insights and Solutions | Dr Susan Davis | The Proof Podcast EP 245 [Video]
  62. Navigating Menopause: Honest Answers To All Your Questions [+ Video: What To Expect in Menopause]
  63. People Who Follow These 8 Heart Health Metrics May Live Years Longer
  64. Perimenopause
  65. Perimenopause
  66. Perimenopause and Menopause Checklist: Translated Checklists
  67. Perimenopause and Menopause Symptom Checklist
    Menopause and Cardiovascular Disease
  68. Q&A: Health Changes During Menopause Associated With Increased Cardiovascular Risk
  69. Risk Factors
  70. Staying Healthy During and After Menopause
  71. Smokefreewomen [United States]
  72. Stroke
  73. Taking It To Heart: Addressing Cardiovascular Disease In Women [Video]
  74. The Connection Between Menopause and Cardiovascular Disease Risks
  75. The Heart Truth [National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, United States]
  76. The Menopausal Transition Period and Cardiovascular Risk
  77. The Menopause Society Statement on Misinformation Surrounding Hormone Therapy [September 2024]
  78. The Slowly Evolving Truth About Heart Disease and Women
  79. The Truth About Menopause Supplements | Dr Sarah Berry [Video]
  80. Tips To Help Manage Menopause Symptoms
  81. Video: Leslie Cho, MD, Discusses CV Risks, Benefits of Menopausal Hormone Therapy
  82. Videos & Podcasts: Videos – Cardiovascular Disease In Women
  83. Videos & Podcasts: Videos – Menopause and Hormone Therapy: Current Perspectives and Controversies
  84. Videos and Podcasts: Videos – Heart Disease, Risk Factors of Developing Heart Disease, and Can I Take Hormones?
  85. WISEWOMAN Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
  86. Webinars: Previous – Cardiovascular Disease
  87. Webinars: Previous – Recommendations on Cardiovascular Risk Assessment
  88. Webinars: Previous – The Heart of the Matter
  89. What Is Cardiovascular Disease?
    Menopause and Cardiovascular Disease
  90. Women & CVD
    Cardiovascular Disease
  91. Womenheart.org [WomenHeart, United States]
  92. Women’s Health Disparities: Cardiovascular Disease
  93. World Heart Day [29 September]
    Menopause and Cardiovascular Disease
  94. World Menopause Day 2023
    Menopause and Cardiovascular Disease
  95. World Menopause Day 2023: Patient Information Leaflet – Cardiovascular Disease: What Women Need To Know [Multiply Languages]
  96. World Menopause Day 2024: Leaflet for Women – Menopause and Menopause Hormone Therapy [Multiply Languages]
  97. World Menopause Day 2024: Poster for Women – The 5 Ws of Menopause Hormone Therapy (MHT)
  98. World Stroke Day
  99. You Can Prevent Heart Disease. Yes, YOU!
    Menopause and Cardiovascular Disease

Sources

Where may I find the Sources quoted?

You may find the Sources quoted at:

Sources

  1. What Is Menopause? Perimenopause, Menopause and Postmenopause – Postmenopause: Heart Health. Last Updated: 12 February 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 February 2025
  2. 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: 12 February 2025
  3. What Is Menopause? Perimenopause, Menopause and Postmenopause – Postmenopause: Heart Health. Last Updated: 18 December 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 February 2025
  4. What Is Menopause? Perimenopause, Menopause and Postmenopause – Postmenopause: Heart Health. Last Updated: 18 December 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 February 2025
  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: 12 February 2025
  6. What Is Menopause? Perimenopause, Menopause and Postmenopause – Postmenopause: Heart Health. Last Updated: 18 December 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 February 2025
  7. 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 February 2025
  8. What Is Menopause? Perimenopause, Menopause and Postmenopause – Postmenopause: Heart Health. Last Updated: 18 December 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 February 2025
  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/?CDC_AAref_Val=https://www.cdc.gov/wisewoman/faqs.htm Accessed: 12 February 2025
  10. 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: 19 January 2025
Topic Last Updated: 12 March 2025 – Topic Last Reviewed: 12 February 2025

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