Menopause and Heart Health (The Facts)
Menopause leads to changes in lipid profile (HDL reduces, while elevating apolipoprotein B levels).
Increases the risk for cardiovascular disease
Risk of hypertension increases significantly postmenopause
HRT is most beneficial to the heart if started early
A reanalysis of the WHI and a meta-analysis showed that HRT in women close to menopause or in early postmenopause (50-59 years of age) has a beneficial effect on the cardiovascular system, reducing coronary disease and all-cause mortality
A large controlled trial from Denmark demonstrated that healthy women taking combined HRT for 10 years immediately after menopause had a reduced risk of heart disease and death from heart disease
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Samar R. El Khoudary, PhD, MPH, FAHA, Chair, Brooke Aggarwal, EdD, MS, FAHA, Theresa M. Beckie, PhD,
FAHA, Howard N. Hodis, MD, FAHA, Amber E. Johnson, MD, MS, MBA, Robert D. Langer, MD, MPH, FAHA, Marian C. Limacher, MD, FAHA, JoAnn E. Manson, MD, DrPH, FAHA, Marcia L. Stefanick, PhD, FAHA, Matthew A. Allison, MD, MPH, FAHA, Vice Chair, On behalf of the American Heart Association Prevention Science Committee of the Council on Epidemiology and Prevention; and Council on Cardiovascular and Stroke Nursing
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