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“Hot news flash: Menopause can impact a woman’s heart health DALLAS, oct. 16, 2024 — The risk of heart disease increases with age for most people, though, for women that might potentially be even more true. The menopause transition, those years leading up to and through menopause, is a time of increasing heart disease risk, according to an American Heart Association scientific statement published in the flagship journal Circulation in 2020.”
“Cardiovascular risk in menopausal women and our evolving understanding … Mishra SR, Chung HF, Waller M, et al. Duration of estrogen exposure during reproductive years, age at menarche and age at menopause, and risk of cardiovascular disease events, all-cause and cardiovascular mortality: a systematic review and meta-analysis. BJOG. Epub ahead of print 5 November 2020. DOI: 10.1111/1471-0528.16524.”
“The connection between menopause and cardiovascular disease risks Research also shows depression during the menopause transition is strongly linked to higher cardiovascular disease risk.In addition,women who experience natural menopause at a later age have a lower risk of cardiovascular disease and death. Factors that may influence an earlier start to menopause include … the circulating blood of the two groups also looked different: the group that began menopause later showed ‘more favorable’ levels of 15 different metabolites related to lipids or fats in the blood.
‘Our data suggest that women who complete menopause at a more advanced age have a kind of natural protection inherent against vascular dysfunction that can come from oxidative stress over time,’ says Rossman, assistant research professor in the Department of Physiology Integrative.
More research is needed to determine exactly what this protection drives, but researchers suspect that a better mitochondrial function and certain lipids that circulate in the blood can play a key role.
Next, the team plans to investigate how early appearance menopause could affect the health of the heart and if nutritional supplements aimed at neutralizing free radicals within blood vessels could reduce the risk of heart disease in women who have greater risk.
In a previous study, Rossman found initial evidence that Mitoq (a chemically altered version of the coenzyme q10 antioxidant that acts on the mitochondria) significantly reversed the aging of the blood vessels in a matter of weeks in male and female subjects. A broader clinical trial is currently being carried out.
‘We hope that this work place the age of menopause on the map as a specific female risk factor, which women and their doctors speak more,’ concludes Darvish.”
Menopause and Heart Health: An Expert Interview
Table of Contents
Menopause is a natural phase in a woman’s life, but recent research shows it may considerably impact heart health. The menopause transition, which includes the years leading up to and through menopause, has been associated with a higher risk of cardiovascular disease in women. To delve deeper into this topic, our Senior Editor spoke with Dr. Ainsi Darvish, an esteemed cardiologist and researcher specializing in menopause and cardiovascular health.
Menopause and cardiovascular Disease Risk
- Senior Editor: Dr. Darvish, according to the latest research, menopause increases the risk of heart disease in women. Can you elaborate on this linkage?
- Dr. Darvish: Yes, indeed. During the menopause transition, hormonal changes can lead to an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Estrogen, which is lower during this time, plays a protective role for the heart and blood vessels. Without this protection, women are at a higher risk of developing atherosclerosis, hypertension, and other heart-related issues.
Scientific Findings on Menopause and Heart Health
- Senior Editor: Earlier research has explored the connection between the duration of estrogen exposure and cardiovascular risk. What insights have scientists derived from these studies?
- Dr. Darvish: One notable study highlighted the relationship between the age at menopause and heart disease risk. According to this research, women who experience natural menopause later in life have a lower risk of cardiovascular disease and associated mortality. Factors such as age at menarche and the total duration of reproductive years play crucial roles in cardiovascular health.
Depression and Cardiovascular Risk
- Senior editor: We’ve also seen an association between depression during menopause and a higher risk of cardiovascular disease. Can you explain how these conditions are interlinked?
- Dr. Darvish: Depression often co-occurs with menopause, and there is ample evidence suggesting that this psychological state can elevate the risk of heart disease. Stress and hormonal fluctuations may play significant roles in this relationship. Managing depression through therapy, medication, and lifestyle changes is vital for maintaining overall cardiovascular health.
Protective Factors in Women Completing Menopause Later
- Senior Editor: What might explain the protective factors seen in women who complete menopause later?
- Dr. Darvish: our research has shown that women who complete menopause later have more favorable lipid metabolites in their bloodstream.These beneficial factors, including better mitochondrial function and specific circulating lipids, provide a natural defense against oxidative stress, thus reducing the risk of vascular dysfunction.
Future Research Directions
- Senior Editor: What are the next steps in this line of research?
- Dr. Darvish: We plan to further investigate how early menopause impacts heart health and whether nutritional supplements that neutralize free radicals could reduce heart disease risk in high-risk individuals. As an example, a previous study showed promising results with Mitoq, indicating its potential in reversing age-related vascular damage. These findings are currently being explored in broader clinical trials.
Actionable Insights for Women
- Senior Editor: What advice would you give to women going through menopause to ensure their heart health?
- Dr. Darvish: I would advise women to be proactive about their heart health. Regular check-ups, healthy dietary habits, physical activity, stress management, and addressing any psychological issues such as depression are key. Communicating openly with their healthcare providers about menopause and related risks is also essential.
Conclusion
- Senior Editor:Thank you so much, Dr. Darvish, for providing this valuable information. How do you hope this research will impact women’s healthcare?
- Dr. Darvish: I hope that this work brings the age of menopause into focus as a specific risk factor for women.Increasing awareness and open interaction between women and their healthcare providers about this critical phase in life will lead to better preventive strategies and overall health outcomes.
