Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 14, 2026
An In Vivo Estrogen Deficiency Mouse Model for Screening Exogenous Estrogen Treatments of Cardiovascular Dysfunction After Menopause
Published on: August 13, 2019
Cardiovascular Health Characterization Using Life's Essential 8 Score in Perimenopausal Women: An Analysis of the
Amrita Nayak1, Akhil Pampana1, Mokshad Gaonkar1,2
1Division of Cardiovascular Disease University of Alabama at Birmingham Birmingham AL USA.
Background:
This study assessed cardiovascular health in women using the American Heart Association's Life's Essential 8 (LE8) score, and compared cardiovascular health across premenopausal, perimenopausal, and postmenopausal stages.
Methods:
Data from the National Health and Nutritional Examination Survey cycles 2007 to 2020 were used and included women aged 18 to 80 years who were not pregnant or breastfeeding and without prior cardiovascular disease. Menopausal status was classified as pre-, peri-, or postmenopausal. LE8 scores were calculated as the continuous mean of 8 component scores and also categorized as poor, intermediate, or ideal. National Health and Nutritional Examination Survey analytical guidelines were followed. Adjusted linear regression models were used to assess temporal trends.
Results:
A total of 9248 women were included in the final sample. In crude analyses, continuous median LE8 scores declined with advancing reproductive stage: 73.3 (premenopause), 69.1 (perimenopause), and 63.9 (postmenopause). Diet consistently received the lowest component score, while sleep received the highest. Across all stages, diet scores declined over time (Ptrend<0.001). Worsening body mass index scores were observed in pre- and postmenopausal women (Ptrend<0.001), while lipid and sleep scores improved in these groups (Ptrend<0.001). In comparison with premenopausal women, perimenopausal women were found to have higher age-adjusted odds of categorical poor overall LE8 (adjusted odds ratio, 1.92 [95% CI, 1.13-3.26]), poor lipid score (adjusted odds ratio, 1.76 [95% CI, 1.12-2.76]), and poor glucose score (adjusted odds ratio, 1.83 [95% CI, 1.06-3.17]).
Conclusions:
A decline in crude overall LE8 scores was observed from pre- to postmenopause, but age-adjusted categorical analyses showed the highest odds of poor LE8 scores and poor lipid and glucose scores in perimenopause.
Related Concept Videos
01:23Assessment of the Cardiovascular System I: Subjective Data
Initial Enquiry
Ask the patient about their primary concern and thoroughly explore all reported symptoms.
Medical History
Investigate past illnesses affecting the cardiovascular system, such as angina, anemia, rheumatic fever, congenital heart disease, stroke, thrombophlebitis, dysrhythmias, varicosities
Inquire about symptoms...
01:19Blood Studies for Cardiovascular System II: CRP, Hcy, and Cardiac Natriuretic Peptide Markers
These markers indicate stress or strain on the heart muscle:
Natriuretic Peptides (BNP)
Cardiac myocytes produce these hormones in response to ventricular stretching...
01:25Blood Studies for Cardiovascular System III: Serum Lipid Profile
Serum lipids are fats and fatty substances in the blood and are crucial for various bodily functions, including energy storage, cellular structure, and hormone production. Serum lipids consist of cholesterol, triglycerides, and phospholipids.
Cholesterol is a soft, fat-like substance found in all body cells. It is crucial for producing hormones, vitamin D, and substances that aid...
01:25Imaging Studies for Cardiovascular System VI: Calcium -Scoring CT
01:29Assessment of the Cardiovascular System II: Inspection
Head and Neck
01:17Pulse amplitude and quality
A weak or absent pulse may indicate reduced cardiac output or poor left ventricular contraction, which can be signs of cardiovascular dysfunction or...