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Physiologically assessed hot flashes and endothelial function among midlife women
Rebecca C Thurston1, Yuefang Chang, Emma Barinas-Mitchell
11Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 2Department of Epidemiology, University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health, Pittsburgh, PA 3Department of Neurosurgery 4Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 5Department of Neurology, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, and University of Bern, Switzerland.
Physiologically measured hot flashes in younger women are linked to poorer endothelial function, a key indicator of vascular health. This finding suggests hot flashes may signal cardiovascular risk earlier than previously understood.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Health
- Women's Health
- Endocrinology
Background:
- Hot flashes are common in midlife women and may indicate underlying endothelial dysfunction.
- Previous research has not utilized objective physiological measures to assess hot flashes in relation to endothelial function.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between physiologically measured hot flashes and endothelial function in midlife women.
- To determine if age modifies this association.
Main Methods:
- 272 non-smoking women (40-60 years) with or without daily hot flashes were studied.
- Physiological and diary monitoring of hot flashes, blood draws, and brachial artery flow-mediated dilation (endothelial function assessment) were performed.
- Linear regression models controlled for cardiovascular risk factors and estradiol levels.
Main Results:
- Among younger women (40-53 years), frequent physiological hot flashes were significantly associated with poorer endothelial function (lower flow-mediated dilation).
- This association was independent of estradiol and standard cardiovascular disease risk factors.
- No significant associations were found in older women (54-60 years) or when using self-reported hot flash data.
Conclusions:
- Frequent, physiologically measured hot flashes in younger midlife women are associated with impaired endothelial function.
- Hot flashes may serve as an early marker of vascular health in women, offering insights beyond traditional cardiovascular risk factors and estradiol levels.