[Menopause and metabolic syndrome]

Area of Science:

• Cardiovascular Disease
• Metabolic Health
• Menopause Research

Background:

• Cardiovascular disease (CVD) incidence escalates significantly after menopause.
• Metabolic syndrome, characterized by visceral obesity, dyslipidemia, hypertension, and glucose metabolism disorder, is more prevalent in postmenopausal women and linked to increased coronary artery disease (CAD).
• Obesity, a key metabolic syndrome component, is also associated with elevated risks of several cancers.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine the link between menopause, metabolic syndrome, and cardiovascular disease risk.
• To highlight the role of metabolic syndrome in postmenopausal myocardial infarction and other cardiovascular morbidities.
• To discuss the management of metabolic syndrome and its impact on climacteric syndrome symptoms.

Main Methods:

• Review of literature on cardiovascular disease incidence post-menopause.
• Analysis of the components of metabolic syndrome and their association with cardiovascular and cancer risks.
• Discussion of treatment strategies for metabolic syndrome, including lifestyle changes, medication, and hormonal therapy.

Main Results:

• Post-menopause is a critical period for increased cardiovascular risk, strongly associated with metabolic syndrome.
• Metabolic syndrome components are independently linked to higher rates of coronary artery disease and other atherosclerotic events.
• Obesity contributes to both metabolic syndrome and increased cancer incidence.

Conclusions:

• Metabolic syndrome plays a pivotal role in the heightened cardiovascular morbidity observed after menopause.
• Management of metabolic syndrome through lifestyle modification and appropriate therapies is crucial for reducing cardiovascular risk in postmenopausal women.
• Hormonal therapy, when indicated for climacteric syndrome, may also benefit metabolic syndrome parameters.