Early menopause increases risk of coronary heart disease and stroke

According to the LA County Department of Public Health, coronary heart disease is the leading cause of death for women in the county and stroke is the second leading cause of death for women in the county. A new study has reported that an early menopause increases the risk of both conditions. Researchers affiliated with the University of Alabama, Birmingham published their findings in the October issue of the journal Menopause.

The researchers noted that the identification of women at risk of cardiovascular disease is of major public health importance. They explained that some studies have reported an association with cardiovascular disease events in some predominantly white populations; however, others did not find an association. The objective of the study was to determine if self-reported early menopause (menopause at an before age 46) identifies women as at risk for future coronary heart disease or stroke.

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The researched reviewed data from the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis, which is a longitudinal, ethnically diverse study of US men and women aged 45 to 84 years enrolled in 2000-2002 and followed up until 2008. The investigators evaluated the association between a personal history of early menopause (either natural menopause or surgical removal of ovaries before the age of 46). Future coronary heart disease and stroke was assessed in 2,509 women (age: 45-84; 987 white; 331 Chinese; 641 black; and 550 Hispanic) from the Multi-ethnic Study Atherosclerosis who were free of cardiovascular disease at baseline.

The authors found that of 2,509 women, 693 (28%) reported either surgical or natural early menopause. In survival curves, women with early menopause had poorer coronary heart disease and stroke-free survival. In models adjusted for age, race/ethnicity, Multi-ethnic Study Atherosclerosis site, and traditional cardiovascular disease risk factors, this risk for coronary heart disease and stroke was a 2.08-fold increased risk for coronary heart disease and 2.19-fold greater risk for stroke.

The authors concluded that early menopause was positively associated with coronary heart disease and stroke in a multiethnic cohort, independent of traditional cardiovascular disease risk factors.”

Take home message:

If you experience an early menopause, you should consult with a gynecologist or endocrinologist and mention this study. Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) may be beneficial under these circumstances. Poor lifestyle choices such as smoking have been reported to increase the risk of an early menopause. Smoking also increases the risk of cardiovascular disease.

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