Women's health in menopause with a focus on hypertension

A H E M Maas1, H R Franke

  • 1Department of Cardiology, Isala Clinics, Zwolle, the Netherlands.

Insights

Menopause transition brings vasomotor symptoms and increased coronary heart disease (CHD) risk, particularly hypertension. Early risk factor identification is crucial for managing perimenopausal symptoms and considering safe hormone therapy in low-risk women.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Endocrinology
  • Women's Health

Background:

  • Menopause transition is associated with vasomotor symptoms impacting daily life.
  • Declining estrogen levels increase coronary heart disease (CHD) risk factors, notably hypertension.
  • Hypertension onset during menopause can be misattributed to menopausal symptoms.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To highlight the importance of risk factor identification in middle-aged women.
  • To emphasize the need for proper evaluation and treatment of perimenopausal symptoms.
  • To explore the potential for safe hormone prescription in early menopause.

Main Methods:

  • Review of risk factors for coronary heart disease in women during menopause transition.
  • Evaluation of the management of risk factors in middle-aged women.
  • Analysis of the therapeutic window for hormone prescription in relation to menopause onset.

Main Results:

  • Vasomotor symptoms are common during menopause and can affect daily activities.
  • Hypertension risk becomes more apparent with estrogen decline.
  • Risk factor management is often inadequate in middle-aged women.

Conclusions:

  • Risk factor identification should be the primary step in evaluating and treating perimenopausal women.
  • A window exists for safe hormone therapy in women at low CHD risk during early menopause.
  • Addressing hypertension and other CHD risk factors is essential during the menopause transition.

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