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Menopause-related changes in left ventricular function in healthy women
A Pines1, E Z Fisman, J Shemesh
1Department of Medicine T, Tel-Aviv Medical Center-Ichilov Hospital, Israel.
Cardiology
|January 1, 1992
Summary
Early menopause is linked to better heart function. Women in the early stages of menopause show improved myocardial contractility compared to those with longer-term menopause.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Endocrinology
- Physiology
Background:
- Menopause involves the cessation of ovarian estrogen production, potentially impacting cardiovascular health.
- Estrogen plays a role in maintaining cardiac function, but its precise effects post-menopause require further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate changes in left ventricular function in postmenopausal women.
- To assess the relationship between the duration of menopause and myocardial contractility.
Main Methods:
- Technetium scans were used to evaluate left ventricular function in 14 healthy postmenopausal women.
- Participants were divided into two groups based on time since menopause: Group A (>3 years) and Group B (<5 years).
Main Results:
- Group A showed significantly lower end-systolic volume (14.9 ml/m2) compared to Group B (25.7 ml/m2).
- The pressure/volume ratio was higher in Group A (8.6 mm Hg/ml/m2) versus Group B (4.7 mm Hg/ml/m2).
- Peak ejection rate and peak filling rate were significantly greater in Group A.
Conclusions:
- Women in the early phase of menopause exhibit enhanced myocardial contractility.
- The duration of menopause appears to influence left ventricular function, with longer duration associated with reduced contractility.
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