Increase in cholesterol

Heart risk greatly increased for women around menopause

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death in women, despite being mistakenly considered a "man's disease". The increase in risk occurs especially after the menopause.(Bild: Tatyana Gladskih – stock.adobe.com)

It has long been known that women have a lower risk of heart problems before the menopause compared to men. However, this risk increases significantly during the menopause. A new US study shows that the main reason for this is an increase in "bad" LDL cholesterol in the blood.

A new study led by Stephanie Moreno of the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center shows that during and after menopause, there is a significant increase in "bad" LDL cholesterol particles and a decrease in "good" HDL blood lipids in women.

These changes in the lipoprotein profile increase the risk of cardiovascular disease - particularly coronary heart disease - in postmenopausal women.

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the most common cause of death in women, although it is mistakenly considered a "man's disease". The increase in risk occurs especially after the menopause.(Bild: Tatyana Gladskih – stock.adobe.com)

Cardiovascular diseases are the most common cause of death in women, although they are often misunderstood as a "man's disease". Around 40 percent of all deaths in women are due to cardiovascular disease, with the risk of these diseases increasing significantly after the menopause.

Women fall ill around ten years later than men, which is attributed to hormonal changes during the menopause.

The study, which included 1246 women and 1346 men as a reference group, showed that the increase in LDL cholesterol levels was highest in women around menopause and after menopause at 8.3 percent, compared to an increase of 4.8 percent in men.

Moreno emphasized that these adverse changes in blood lipid profiles could contribute to the increase in cardiovascular disease in postmenopausal women. This could indicate the need for earlier interventions, such as early treatment with cholesterol-lowering drugs.