Menopause and Heart Disease

Researchers writing in the medical journal Climacteric say that “an ideal hormone replacement therapy that can overcome hypertension, prevent body weight gain and control serum triglycerides offers an important advance in cardiovascular risk management during the menopause.”

Rosano GM, Vitale C, Tulli A. Managing cardiovascular risk in menopausal women.Rosano GM, Vitale C, Tulli A. Climacteric. 2006 Sep;9(5):19-27

From the article abstract:
“Blood pressure control and prevention of glucose intolerance are primary factors in overcoming the increased cardiovascular risks in menopausal women.

This heightened risk may partially be explained by the metabolic syndrome – a precursor of type 2 diabetes – in which the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system may play a pivotal role.

Once diabetes occurs, the cardiovascular risk is considerably greater in postmenopausal women than in men – especially if hypertension is also present.

An additional risk factor, weight gain, is common in postmenopausal women not treated with hormone replacement therapy.

Rigorous control of blood pressure has been shown to be particularly beneficial in women with metabolic syndrome; a reduction in blood pressure can reduce the mortality rate of ischemic stroke.

The administration of hormone replacement therapy can also reduce the likelihood of coronary heart disease in postmenopausal women; therefore therapy should be started early in the menopausal transition to maximize cardiovascular protection. As such, an ideal hormone replacement therapy that can overcome hypertension, prevent body weight gain and control serum triglycerides offers an important advance in cardiovascular risk management during the menopause.”