Menopause and Heart Health Infographic

Heart disease risk rises for everyone as they age, but for women, the years leading up to and after menopause are a critical time to care for their health.

Menopause is a natural phase of life for most women in their 40s or 50s.

It’s often just called menopause, but menopause actually has three stages:

1. Perimenopause
   • Includes the most symptomatic years
   • Key time for a woman to reduce CVD risk factors and care for her heart health
2. Menopause
   • When a woman’s period stops permanently
   • 12 months in a row without menstruation
3. Postmenopause
   • Many women will spend up to 40% of their lives postmenopausal or “after menopause”

Cardiovascular Risk Factors

Menopause does not cause cardiovascular disease; however, during the menopausal transition women experience many changes in their bodies, including some that can impact their cardiovascular health:

• Decline in estrogen levels
• Hot flashes and night sweats
• Depression
• Sleep problems
• Increased body fat around the organs
• Increased cholesterol levels
• Stiffening or weakening of the blood vessels
• Increased risk of metabolic syndrome – 3 or more of:
  • High blood glucose (sugar)
  • Low levels of HDL (“good”) cholesterol in the blood
  • High levels of triglycerides in the blood
  • Large waist circumference
  • High blood pressure

The early natural menopause (prior to 45 years of age) and the surgical removal of the ovaries can also increase a woman’s risk for cardiovascular disease.

Take Menopause to Heart

Women are at a greater risk for heart disease and stroke after menopause, making it even more important to focus on your health before menopause, and throughout the menopausal transition.

• Get plenty of exercise/physical activity
• Eat healthy
• Quit smoking
• Manage your stress
• Know your numbers
  • Blood pressure
  • Body Mass Index (BMI)
  • Cholesterol
  • Blood glucose (blood sugar

Talk to your health care team about your risk factors and how to prevent cardiovascular disease during middle age.

To learn more, visit goredforwomen.org/menopause

© Copyright 2021 American Heart Association, Inc., a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit. All rights reserved. Go Red for Women is a registered trademark of AHA.

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View the printable infographic:
Menopause and Heart Health (PDF)