Menopause and Cardiovascular Disease: Is There a Connection?

Key Takeaways Studies show that early menopause can increase the risk of heart disease in women.When estrogen levels drop during menopause, it can lead to higher cholesterol, blood pressure and body fat levels.Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death among women of all ages.Hormone replacement therapy is an option to discuss with your health care provider.Early menopause (menopause that occurs before age 45) has been found to increase the risk of heart disease.According to a study by the American Diabetes Association, that included data from nearly 10,000 postmenopausal women, researchers looked at the connection between early menopause, Type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk in women. The data showed that women who experienced early or premature menopause had a