Abstract

The greatest mortality burden for women in Europe is due to cardiovascular diseases (CVD), such as stroke and coronary heart disease. Women develop CVD on average 10 years later than men. Premenopausal women have a more favorable CVD risk factor profile characterized by lower cholesterol levels and blood pressure and a lower prevalence of diabetes. During the transition to menopause, women experience changes in phenotype and metabolism associated with an increased risk of CVD; including increase in abdominal fat, increase in low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDLC) and systolic blood pressure, and increased insulin resistance. It has been a matter of debate whether menopause per se is a risk factor of CVD or if it is merely aging.

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