Menopause and Cardiovascular Risk

New research shows that people who start menopause before the age of forty are at increased risk of future coronary heart disease.

Among Black and white women, those who experienced premature menopause had a 40% higher risk of developing coronary heart disease over their lifetime, compared to those who did not experience premature menopause. This held true, even after adjusting for known cardiovascular disease risk factors such as smoking, high blood pressure, Type 2 diabetes and obesity.

SOURCE: American Heart Association • LAST UPDATED: May 20, 2021