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Updated: May 28, 2026
06:18
An In Vivo Estrogen Deficiency Mouse Model for Screening Exogenous Estrogen Treatments of Cardiovascular Dysfunction After Menopause
Published on: August 13, 2019
The menopausal transition and cardiovascular risk.
Claudia U Chae1, Carol A Derby
1Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Cardiology Division, Massachusetts General Hospital, 55 Fruit Street, Boston, MA 02114, USA. cchae@partners.org
Obstetrics and Gynecology Clinics of North America
|October 4, 2011
Summary
Cardiovascular disease risk increases after menopause due to adverse changes in risk factors. Focusing on risk factor modification during the menopausal transition can help reduce future cardiovascular disease risk in women.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive Endocrinology
- Cardiovascular Medicine
- Gerontology
Background:
- Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death in women, with incidence rising significantly post-menopause.
- The menopausal transition is associated with detrimental shifts in cardiovascular risk factors.
- These changes may stem from ovarian aging, leading to proatherogenic lipid profiles, and chronologic aging, affecting other risk factors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between menopause and cardiovascular disease risk.
- To identify specific cardiovascular risk factors affected during the menopausal transition.
- To emphasize the importance of risk factor management in pre- and perimenopausal women.
Main Methods:
- Observational study analyzing cardiovascular risk factors in women during the menopausal transition.
- Assessment of lipid and apolipoprotein profiles in relation to ovarian aging.
- Evaluation of other cardiovascular risk factors influenced by chronologic aging.
Main Results:
- Proatherogenic changes in lipid and apolipoprotein profiles are linked to ovarian aging.
- Other cardiovascular risk factors show unfavorable changes potentially influenced by chronologic aging.
- The menopausal transition period presents a critical window for cardiovascular risk factor changes.
Conclusions:
- Adverse cardiovascular risk factor modifications occur during menopause, increasing CVD risk in women.
- Both ovarian aging and chronologic aging contribute to these risk factor changes.
- Proactive risk factor modification in pre- and perimenopausal years is crucial for reducing long-term cardiovascular disease risk.
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