Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 10, 2026
A Semi-Automated and Reproducible Biological-Based Method to Quantify Calcium Deposition In Vitro
Published on: June 2, 2022
Vasomotor symptoms and coronary artery calcium in postmenopausal women
Matthew A Allison1, Joann E Manson, Aaron Aragaki
1University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093-0965, USA. mallison@ucsd.edu
Insights
A history of vasomotor symptoms (VMS) was linked to lower odds of coronary artery calcium (CAC) in women. Hormone therapy (HT) duration appeared to influence this protective association, moving it towards the null.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Health
- Menopause Research
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Vasomotor symptoms (VMS), such as hot flashes and night sweats, are common during menopause.
- Coronary artery calcium (CAC) is a marker of subclinical atherosclerosis and a predictor of cardiovascular events.
- The relationship between VMS and cardiovascular disease risk is not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between a history of VMS and CAC.
- To determine if hormone therapy (HT) use modifies the relationship between VMS and CAC.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of a subset of women aged 50-59 from the Women's Health Initiative (WHI) estrogen-alone trial.
- Assessment of CAC using CT scans and self-reported VMS and HT use via questionnaires.
- Statistical adjustment for potential cardiovascular disease risk factors and covariates.
Main Results:
- A history of any VMS was associated with significantly reduced odds of having CAC > 0 (OR, 0.66; 95% CI, 0.45-0.98).
- Increased duration of HT use appeared to attenuate the inverse association between VMS and CAC.
- Prevalence of CAC > 0 was 46% in the study sample.
Conclusions:
- A history of VMS is independently associated with lower odds of subclinical coronary artery disease.
- The duration of hormone therapy may influence the protective association between VMS and CAC.
- Further research is needed to elucidate the mechanisms underlying this association.
Objective:
We assessed whether vasomotor symptoms (VMS) are associated with coronary artery calcium (CAC) and how hormone therapy (HT) may influence this association.
Methods:
Participants were a subset of women aged 50 to 59 years with a history of hysterectomy who were enrolled in the Women's Health Initiative (WHI) estrogen-alone clinical trial and underwent a CT scan of the chest at the end of the trial to determine CAC. Participants provided information about VMS (hot flashes and/or night sweats), as well as HT use, on self-administered questionnaires at trial baseline.
Results:
The sample consisted of 918 women with a mean (SD) age of 55.1 (2.8) years at WHI randomization and 64.8 (2.9) years at CAC ascertainment. The prevalence of a CAC score higher than 0 was 46%, whereas the prevalence of a CAC score of 10 or higher and higher than 100 was 39% and 19%, respectively. At randomization, 77% reported a history of any VMS at any time before or at enrollment in the WHI, whereas 20% reported any VMS present only at enrollment. Compared with those without a history of any VMS and after adjustment for potential confounders, a history of any VMS at any time up to and including WHI enrollment was associated with significantly reduced odds for CAC higher than 0 (odds ratio, 0.66; 95% CI, 0.45-0.98). Moreover, as duration of HT increased, the inverse association between any VMS and CAC moved toward the null.
Conclusions:
A history of any VMS was significantly associated with reduced odds for CAC independent of traditional cardiovascular disease risk factors and other relevant covariates. This association seems to be influenced by duration of HT.
Related Concept Videos
01:25Imaging Studies for Cardiovascular System VI: Calcium -Scoring CT
01:30Coronary Artery Disease III: Clinical Manifestations
01:30Coronary Artery Disease I: Introduction
01:26Coronary Artery Disease IV: Preventive Measures
01:28Menopause
01:26Coronary Artery Disease II: Pathophysiology