Posted On: February 14, 2023
Towards the end of 2020, the American Heart Association (AHA) published a statement on “Menopause Transition and Cardiovascular Disease Risk: Implications for Timing of Early Prevention.” Below are the salient take home points for patients, in order of importance.
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death in women. Around the time of menopause, CVD risk in women jumps up, in part due to menopause related changes in hormone levels. For a woman who is approaching menopause, this is an important time to visit her primary care physician (PCP) to review her CVD risk profile and to devise a personalized plan to minimize risk of developing significant CVD, and thus avoid falling victim to its CVD-related morbidity and mortality.
While reviewing this information, consider that there are several causes for optimism. First, you are not alone if you are struggling, in fact you’re in the majority. Second, there is lots of room for improvement! Finally, mean life expectancy at birth for a US woman is still 81 years. By working toward recommended health goals, you can expect even greater longevity, and be in even better health to enjoy it. Imagine the real possibility of a scenario where at 90, you are still living independently, enjoying life to the fullest, traveling and proudly able to hoist a carry-on into the overhead compartment on the plane without help. Now there’s a goal to aspire to!
In a 2022 update and call to action from the American Heart Association, the need for more research on women’s heart health was emphasized. Their mission is to remove pervasive gaps in knowledge and care delivery which serve as barriers to equality. We already understand several key influences on heart health in a woman’s life, and now we must add hormonal influences. Women who start menses prior to age 11 or go through menopause prior to age 40 are at greater risk for heart disease. Women who have polycystic ovarian syndrome or experience many months without cycles appear to be somewhat prone. Women who experience elevated blood pressure and preeclampsia during pregnancy are more likely to develop heart disease twenty-five years down the line. Also, the characteristic hot flashes and night sweats of menopause are associated with worse levels of cardiovascular risk.
Recognizing that CVD is the leading cause of death in women and that our average lifetime risk for CVD is nearly 50%, doing everything in our power to reduce CVD risk is a major strategy in ensuring a long and healthy life. Knowing that CVD risk jumps up around menopause, this is also an important time to convene with your doctor to address modifiable risk factors and optimize your health.
El Khoudary SR, Aggarwal B, Beckie TM, Hodis HN, Johnson AE, Langer RD, Limacher MC, Manson JE, Stefanick ML, Allison MA; on behalf of the American Heart Association Prevention Science Committee of the Council on Epidemiology and Prevention; and Council on Cardiovascular and Stroke Nursing. Menopause transition and cardiovascular disease risk: implications for timing of early prevention: a scientific statement from the American Heart Association. Circulation. 2020;142:e506–e532. doi: 10.1161/CIR.0000000000000912
Menopause Transition and Cardiovascular Disease Risk: Implications for Timing of Early Prevention: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association. Circulation: Volume 142, Issue 25, 22 December 2020; Pages e506-e532 https://doi.org/10.1161/CIR.0000000000000912
Call to Action for Cardiovascular Disease in Women: Epidemiology, Awareness, Access, and Delivery of Equitable Health Care: A Presidential Advisory From the American Heart Association. Nanette K. Wenger, Donald M. Lloyd-Jones, Mitchell S.V. Elkind,Gregg C. Fonarow, John J. Warner, Heather M. Alger,Susan Cheng,Claire Kinzy,Jennifer L. Hall, Véronique L. Roger. Originally published 9 May 2022 https://doi.org/10.1161/CIR.0000000000001071 Circulation. 2022;145:e1059–e1071
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Too many women are left navigating this transition alone. 💡 Menopause care matters! It’s time for open conversations, proactive support, and evidence-based guidance. If your physician hasn’t talked to you about menopause yet, don’t wait—ask the questions, demand the care you deserve! #MenopauseAwareness #WomensHealth #TakeControlOfYourHealth Source: Long, Michelle, et. al. “Women’s Experiences with Provider Communication and Interactions in Healthcare Care Settings: Findings from the 2022 KFF Women’s Health Survey.” KFF2023.
It’s National Sibling Day! Siblings shape who we are—from childhood memories to lifelong emotional support. Discover how these bonds influence personal growth, resilience, and well-being. Read more about the power of sibling relationships in our latest blog from our affiliate Ms.Medicine! https://www.msmedicine.com/blog/sibling-bonds-emotional-growth #SiblingBonds #EmotionalWellbeing
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