The menopause transition: a critical stage for cardiovascular disease risk acceleration in women

Abstract

The menopause transition is a critical period for cardiovascular health. During this stage, women experience adverse changes in multiple components that are key for optimal cardiovascular health. Additionally, women struggle to maintain ideal health behaviors, which if adopted collectively, have been shown in observational studies to prevent more than 70% of coronary heart disease cases. Significant efforts should be directed toward increasing awareness among women and healthcare professionals about the menopause transition as a stage of cardiovascular disease risk acceleration that is amenable to reduction with positive lifestyle measures.

In Brief

The menopause transition represents a period of accelerated cardiovascular disease risk, with timing, mechanism, and symptoms of menopause, as well as their treatment, all associated with this risk. Cardiovascular disease prevention guidelines now acknowledge early menopause as a woman-specifi c risk-enhancing factor. Signifi cant efforts should be directed toward increasing awareness among women and healthcare professionals about the menopause transition as a stage of cardiovascular disease risk acceleration that is amenable to reduction with positive lifestyle measures.